2007年VOA标准英语-Flood-Stricken North Korea on Brink of Health C

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
22 August 2007

The International Federation¹ of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing for $5.5 million to head-off a potential health crisis in flood-stricken North Korea. The Swiss agency reports North Korea's health infrastructure² in the affected³ areas has been practically wiped out. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Red Cross headquarters in Geneva.

wade4 through a flooded street in Pyongyang, North Korea, 11 Aug 2007" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070831/1031270.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

In this photo taken by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), people wade through a flooded street in Pyongyang, North Korea, 11 Aug 2007

The Red Cross Federation says clinics and hospitals have been put out of action and drug supplies have been ruined by the worst flooding in North Korea in 40 years.

It says most of the funds it is asking for will go toward providing basic emergency medicines and supporting health services in the two worst-affected provinces, South Hamgyong and South Phyongan, and in the city of Kaesong.

Red Cross spokeswoman Anna Nelson says the situation is worsening and more people are falling sick because of the unhealthy conditions. She says drinking water has been contaminated because tube wells in the stricken communities have been submerged by the flood-waters.

"And a lot of toilets have also been submerged. So that creates a very dangerous, a very risky⁵ hygiene⁶ situation and we have seen an increase in the number of cases reported of diarrhea, as well as respiratory infections, especially in children," said Nelson. "Dehydration⁷ is another problem for people who do not have access to safe drinking water, as well as skin and eye infections."

kits8 for North Korean victims at Red Cross branch in Seoul, South Korea, 22 Aug 2007 " hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070831/1031271.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

South Korean workers from Korea Red Cross prepare aid supply kits for flood victims in Seoul, 22 Aug 2007

The Red Cross reports the heavy rains, which have hit five provinces over the past two weeks, have killed more than 220 people and left nearly 90,000 homeless. They have wiped out roads, crops, water supplies and bridges and destroyed up to 40 percent of health facilities and supplies.

Nelson says 14,000 volunteers of the North Korean Red Cross have been actively⁹ working since the beginning of the emergency to assist the flood victims.

"They have been helping¹⁰ with evacuations and monitoring and first aid. So, in that respect, the assistance that we are providing is being distribute through them and, luckily, they have an extensive network of staff and volunteers and branches in the country," she said.

The multi-million dollar appeal aims to help almost four million people affected by the floods. Most of the money will go to meet health needs. But some will also be used to provide basic relief supplies, such as blankets, water containers and plastic sheets.

1 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

2 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

5 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

6 hygiene   

n.健康法，卫生学 （a.hygienic）

参考例句：

• Their course of study includes elementary hygiene and medical theory.他们的课程包括基础卫生学和医疗知识。
• He's going to give us a lecture on public hygiene.他要给我们作关于公共卫生方面的报告。

7 dehydration   

n.脱水，干燥

参考例句：

• He died from severe dehydration.他死于严重脱水。
• The eyes are often retracted from dehydration.眼睛常因脱水而凹陷。

8 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。

9 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

10 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。