2007年VOA标准英语-UN Says Massive Flooding Devastates Parts of No

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
17 August 2007

The United Nations reports massive flooding in North Korea has devastated¹ the southern provinces, including the capital city and key agricultural regions. The U.N. reports that Pyongyang, in a departure from normal practice, has asked for international assistance to meet the emergency needs of the country's population. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

A building flooded with water from the Taedong River in Pyongyang, 14 Aug 2007

North Korean officials call these the worst rains to have hit the country in 40 years. And they see no let up as more rain is forecast in the coming days.

Official reports say more than 220 people have died and the homes of over 350,000 people have been destroyed or damaged, and tens of thousands of hectares of farmland have been flooded. Officials say there has been huge damage to roads, bridges, public buildings and other structures.

A U.N. team that did an initial assessment² earlier this week has confirmed the serious situation being reported by the government. The World Food Program says it sent a rapid assessment team on Friday, with the permission of the government, to survey sites in eight flood-stricken areas.

On the basis of what already is known, WFP spokesman Simon Pluess says it appears there has been widespread flooding of arable³ land in the southern half of the country.

"It is important to know that the southern half of the country is the main food producing area," said Pluess. "The area inundated⁴ is part of what is called the rice bowl. So, it is very fertile and important for the food security of North Korea. As you know, North Korea is a food deficit⁵ country and our fear is really that this year's floods will exacerbate⁶ the already food insecure situation in the country."

Pluess says the agency has 4,000  tons of food available in the country, which can be rapidly distributed to flood victims. He says this is enough to begin immediately feeding some 350,000 people.

The World Health Organization says it does not know whether there have been any outbreaks of disease in the flood areas. But WHO Spokeswoman, Fadela Chaib, says it is likely that outbreaks will occur and it is important to be prepared.

"When we are facing floods in any country … the main problem will be water and sanitation⁷ because these problems will, without doubt, mean that we will have water and food-borne diseases like diarrhea, cholera⁸ and dysentery, etc," said Chaib.

Chaib says WHO has set up temporary clinics to help the sick. The U.N. Children's Fund reports it has pre-positioned supplies in government warehouses⁹. Those supplies include kits¹⁰ of essential medicines and water.

1 devastated   

v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的

参考例句：

• The bomb devastated much of the old part of the city. 这颗炸弹炸毁了旧城的一大片地方。
• His family is absolutely devastated. 他的一家感到极为震惊。

2 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

3 arable   

adj.可耕的，适合种植的

参考例句：

• The terrain changed quickly from arable land to desert.那个地带很快就从耕地变成了沙漠。
• Do you know how much arable land has been desolated?你知道什么每年有多少土地荒漠化吗？

4 inundated   

v.淹没( inundate的过去式和过去分词 )；（洪水般地）涌来；充满；给予或交予（太多事物）使难以应付

参考例句：

• We have been inundated with offers of help. 主动援助多得使我们应接不暇。
• We have been inundated with every bit of information imaginable. 凡是想得到的各种各样的信息潮水般地向我们涌来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

6 exacerbate   

v.恶化，增剧，激怒，使加剧

参考例句：

• WMO says a warming climate can exacerbate air pollution.世界气象组织说，气候变暖可能会加剧空气污染。
• In fact efforts will merely exacerbate the current problem.实际上努力只会加剧当前的问题。

7 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

8 cholera   

n.霍乱

参考例句：

• The cholera outbreak has been contained.霍乱的发生已被控制住了。
• Cholera spread like wildfire through the camps.霍乱在营地里迅速传播。

9 warehouses   

仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The whisky was taken to bonded warehouses at Port Dundee. 威士忌酒已送到邓迪港的保稅仓库。
• Row upon row of newly built warehouses line the waterfront. 江岸新建的仓库鳞次栉比。

10 kits   

衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件

参考例句：

• Keep your kits closed and locked when not in use. 不用的话把你的装备都锁好放好。
• Gifts Articles, Toy and Games, Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Craft Kits. 采购产品礼品，玩具和游戏，木制的玩具，智力玩具，手艺装备。