This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6947230.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
N Korea floods 'displace 300,000' N Korea floods devastate farmland
(about 5 hours later)
Officials in North Korea estimate that up to 300,000 people may have been left homeless by recent severe flooding, a UN aid agency spokesman has said. Severe flooding in North Korea has destroyed more than one-tenth of the country's farmland, according to the state news agency KCNA.
The officials told an aid team that people were in dire need of shelter and food, according to World Food Programme spokesman Paul Risley. "As of 14 August, more than 11% of rice and maize fields were submerged, buried or washed away," Ri Jae-Hyon, director of the Ministry of Agriculture, said.
The aid workers were visiting an area north of the capital, Pyongyang, to assess the situation. Government officials also told aid workers in the region that 300,000 people may have been left homeless.
They witnessed extensive flooding and a clear need for aid, Mr Risley said. Aid teams visiting the area warned of a need for emergency shelter and food.
"There were indications of widespread damage and the dislocation of several communities, and clear evidence of the need for emergency food assistance," he said. "Going forward, the crop damage is of major concern," Michael Dunford, of the UN World Food Programme, told the BBC.
He added that he had been to see some of the damaged areas, and described the situation as "pretty grim".
Food aidFood aid
Mr Risley said that the impact on food production was a major concern, especially as the floods hit during the pollination period for crops. "Areas of the capital, Pyongyang, have been inundated," he said, "but certainly as you move out into the countryside there is widespread damage, and it is going to have a negative impact on DPRK [North Korea] most certainly."
The flood has destroyed roads and bridges, KCNA said The flood has destroyed roads and bridges, KCNA saidNorth Korea already suffered from severe food shortages, even before the floods.
"There is concern that this could indicate that these floods could significantly reduce the size of this year's harvest," he said.
North Korea already suffers from severe food shortages.
About two million people are thought to have died from famine in the mid-1990s in North Korea, and the country remains dependent on foreign food aid.About two million people are thought to have died from famine in the mid-1990s in North Korea, and the country remains dependent on foreign food aid.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has ordered a full evaluation of the needs of North Koreans and has promised assistance to the communist nation.United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has ordered a full evaluation of the needs of North Koreans and has promised assistance to the communist nation.
"I assured him that the United Nations will be prepared to render whatever possible humanitarian assistance and help to the DPRK (North Korean) government and people overcoming this difficulty," he said after a meeting with North Korea's UN envoy Pak Gil-yon."I assured him that the United Nations will be prepared to render whatever possible humanitarian assistance and help to the DPRK (North Korean) government and people overcoming this difficulty," he said after a meeting with North Korea's UN envoy Pak Gil-yon.
The US and South Korea have both said that they would consider sending aid.The US and South Korea have both said that they would consider sending aid.
'Huge damage''Huge damage'
North Korea made the rare plea for help after it announced late on Monday that storms since 7 August had led to "huge human and material damage".North Korea made the rare plea for help after it announced late on Monday that storms since 7 August had led to "huge human and material damage".
The flooding follows days of torrential rain in North KoreaThe flooding follows days of torrential rain in North Korea
State news agency KCNA said hundreds of people were dead or missing, while more than 30,000 houses had been destroyed. Roads, energy infrastructure and arable land had all been hard-hit, the agency said. State news agency KCNA said hundreds of people were dead or missing.
Several areas were affected but worst hit were the three provinces of Kangwon, North Hwanghae and South Hamgyong, it said. Many areas were affected but worst hit were the three provinces of Kangwon, North Hwanghae and South Hamgyong, it said.
Television pictures from the capital Pyongyang showed people wading along streets through thigh-deep water after rivers burst their banks.Television pictures from the capital Pyongyang showed people wading along streets through thigh-deep water after rivers burst their banks.
These floods are thought to be worse than the ones that hit last year. Hundreds of people are thought to have died in August 2006, but exact figures are not known.These floods are thought to be worse than the ones that hit last year. Hundreds of people are thought to have died in August 2006, but exact figures are not known.
Are you in North Korea? Have you witnessed the floods? Have you been in touch with people in the affected area? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures or video footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name