Record-setting rains last month have forced many North Koreans, particularly those in the border areas of North Pyongan province, to seek refuge in communal evacuation centers. Schools, lecture halls, and other public buildings have been repurposed to house those displaced by the flooding, with the situation especially critical in Sinuiju and Uiju.
In these areas, the number of evacuees far exceeds that of other regions, as most single-story homes remain submerged. The overcrowded centers face severe challenges, with evacuees struggling with insufficient access to clean water, making it impossible for many to bathe even once a day. This lack of basic amenities has led to poor hygienic conditions, exacerbated by inadequate toilet and shower facilities. Consequently, fears of waterborne disease outbreaks have risen among the densely packed evacuees.
The plight of the flood victims is further compounded by their limited personal resources. Many were forced to flee their homes suddenly, arriving at the centers with only the clothes on their backs. This dire situation is exemplified by the experience of a resident from Uiju County, who has been living in an evacuation center since July 27. Speaking under condition of anonymity, he told Daily NK that “I’ve been wearing the same clothing, drenched from sweat and rain, for over a week. During the day, I work on recovery efforts, but I haven’t been able to change or properly clean myself since fleeing my flooded home that night.”
The following is the full interview with the Uiju County resident hit by recent flooding.
Daily NK: You’re living in an evacuation center. What’s the hardest thing you’re facing?
“Everything is difficult. The evacuation center itself was flooded before, so it’s continuously damp and humid. With different people living together now, different odors have intermingled, and you can smell the stench as soon as you get anywhere near the center. We’re still at the center because we have nowhere to go right now, and we all look like beggars. Our hair is full of lice because we cannot bathe, and our bodies itch and hurt because we can’t change into dry clothes and must continue wearing wet ones.”
Daily NK: Are there no bathrooms or places to wash?
“Initially, there was no bathroom. It was too dirty, with people relieving themselves anywhere near the evacuation center, so they built a latrine by digging a hole in the ground and erecting a screen. It’s a pathetic screen, though, so people can see your head when you squat. There’s not even drinking water, so there’s no water for washing. The situation at the evacuation centers is so bad that party cadres have been going around less-flooded homes and telling the homeowners to put up two or three families by giving them at least a room or a storage space. But it’s hard entering somebody else’s home. It’s not easy sponging off others. We think it’s better to stay at the evacuation center and put up with living in a place that’s like a collective home for beggars for a few more days. We’re bitter because it seems people who suffered the most in the floods and have no money must stay at the centers the longest.”
Daily NK: Are you being fed properly?
“The state gives us food, but all we get is rice mixed with corn, soybean paste soup and salted radish. We can’t wash our bowls, either, so they’re all dirty. We don’t have our own food, so we have no choice but to eat what we’re given, but it seems worse than food in reeducation camps.”
Daily NK: Has the search for the dead and missing ended?
“Too many people are still missing. I understand more people died in Uiju than in Sinuiju. Fortunately, everyone in our family is safe, but many neighbors perished in the floods. They don’t mobilize people to search for the missing anymore since anyone not yet found is likely dead. What’s important now is quickly restoring flooded homes, roads and factories.”
Daily NK: How far have recovery efforts progressed?
“Many roads and bridges have yet to be restored. Cars can’t enter certain flood zones, so they’re full of homes and businesses that still need to be recovered. The military and people from other cities and countries in the province have been mobilized for recovery efforts, but manpower is still lacking. You have to restore your home yourself, but you don’t have time to scoop water out of your home when you’re mobilized to restore flood-stricken farms and businesses. We need more personnel.”
Daily NK: There have been reports of material support provided to evacuees in North Pyongan province. Is it enough?
“They provided things like medical supplies and blankets but in such small numbers that many people didn’t receive them. Most of all, clean water and dry clothing are needed, but the state doesn’t provide them. Party officials who were responsible for the flood disaster have been punished, but it’s not important to us whether these officials were sacked or not. Such measures don’t move us at all. Substantively, things need to be quickly restored, but there aren’t enough supplies.”
Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.
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