Korea Finds Christian Help in Wake of Devastating Floods

While droughts and famine are plaguing some parts of the world, flooding is prevalent in others.

Dozens of people were killed and thousands left homeless by recent flooding in the Kangwon and North and South Hwanghae province of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Forecasts call for continued heavy rains in the coming weeks. The weather has already caused severe damage to farmland and infrastructure.

Christian ministries are working to bring emergency supplies to help those in desperate need. Samaritan’s Purse is among the early responders. The U.S. State Department has allocated $900,000 to American organizations to deliver flood relief to the country. Samaritan’s Purse is matching the U.S. government’s grant, bringing the total amount of assistance to at least $1.8 million. The organization will be providing relief items including blankets, temporary shelter materials and hygiene supplies to meet the critical needs of flood victims in North Korea. Staff members will travel to DPRK to monitor the delivery of this assistance.

“When I was in North Korea in May, I saw the country’s increasingly dire needs,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “The recent flooding has made this situation even more acute. I’m very pleased that the United States government is separating political differences from humanitarian need. People are people. God made and created each and every one of us. The Bible teaches us that those who have much should share with those who have little.”