North Korea

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CONTEXT
For decades North Korea has been one of the world's most secretive societies. It is one of the few remaining countries still under communist rule. Hopes that its rigid isolation might have been coming to an end have been scotched by an ongoing nuclear crisis which is nowadays on the top list agenda of the recent sixth parties’ talks.

STRATEGY
At the beginning, our activities in North Korea were focused on re-establishing production of artificial limbs and mobility aids, whilst supporting the orthopedic hospital in Hamhung. This was done through the Korean Federation for the Protection of the Disabled (KFPD), a young local association.

Since KFPD is growing in independence and capacity, our strategy has evolved toward increasing its ownership and direct project management through daily institutional support.

BACKGROUND
The Korean Federation for the Protection of the Disabled (formerly known as Association to Support Disabled People) called upon Handicap International in June 1998.
Following this request, Handicap International has carried out a number of exploratory missions to assess the situation and the needs. On the basis of these assessments and numerous meetings with the KFPD and representatives from the Ministry of Health, activities began in March 2001.
A workshop was set up in Hamhung and technicians were trained in artificial limbs' production. Distribution of crutches and wheelchairs took place at various locations.
In parallel with this, institutional support was provided to KFPD and awareness raising tools were developed. The wording of the legislative texts, if they are officially recognised, makes it possible to create the basis for recognition of disabled people and their rights in the country.

ACTIVITIES

• Technical support and training for 24 orthoprosthesists
• Reinforcing the management of the workshop
• Distribution of walking aids and crutches
• Technical support and training for the physiotherapy division and its 5 members
• Selection of patients awaiting a prosthesis, giving priority to children
• Production of artificial limbs
• Support for the KFPD in carrying out its mandate
• Assistance with renovation of the infrastructure of the orthopedic hospital in Hamhung and supply of equipment
• Support to specialised education institution in Wonsan and Hamhung (deaf and blind schools)
• Technical support to a physical rehabilitation centre in Sijung Lake
• Technical orthopaedic training achieved by sending Korean technicians abroad (currently, two technicians are following a three years curriculum in Vietnam)

BENEFICIARIES

• So far, more than 3.000 disabled people have received an artificial limb
• 24 orthoprosthetic technicians from Hamhung, four received further training
• 2,400 people have received crutches
• 800 wheelchairs were distributed
• The patients of the 400-bed orthopedic hospital at Hamhung and its personnel
• The patients of Sijung Lake physical rehabilitation centre
• Deaf and blind children attending the special education schools in Wonsan and Hamhung
  

RESOURCES
Our team in made up of 38 national staff and 3 expatriates.