Russia sends humanitarian aid to North Korea's flood victims

After the heavy floods caused by the typhoon "Lion Rock" in late August Russia says it wants to intervene by providing humanitarian aid to North Korea.


Pyongyang (AsiaNews) - Russia has decided to send humanitarian aid to North Korea, which in late August was hit by Typhoon that the official news agency KCBS, has ranked as the "worst disaster" since the end of the Second World War.

The floods have caused serious damage to the province of North Hamkyong, destroying 11,600 buildings, damaging some 180 roads and 60 bridges. According to the UN, more than 107 thousand people were left homeless.

Radio Free Asia and Voice of America report that in a press release dated November 10, Russia’s Minister for Emergencies has announced the decision to send more than 175 tonnes of food and 700 tons of diesel fuel.

According to the broadcasters, food aid will include: sugar, cereals and canned foods, and will be transported from Khabarovsk (Russia) to Sonbong (North Korea) via Vladivostok.

In early November, even the Chinese government announced its decision to provide North Korea the sum of 20 million yuan (about 3 million US dollars) to help flood victims.