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The International Red Cross appealed Monday for US$5.5 million in aid to help victims of one of the heaviest floods in North Korea.

The main objective is to provide basic emergency medicines in the two worst-affected provinces in the southern part of the country that suffered serious damage to the health infrastructure, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement posted on the web.

At least 89,000 people are completely homeless from the floods, according to Jaap Timmer, the federation's chief representative in North Korea, "but with clinics and hospitals put out of action and drug supplies ruined, the number of people whose lives have been impacted is far wider, and they need the international community's help."

"The situation is worsening as people are falling sick due to the poor hygiene conditions," Timmer said. "A lot of people with watery diarrhea are being treated daily, and it's because of the contaminated water they are using."

More than 200 people are feared dead from the heaviest rains in 40 years than began earlier this month. The IFRC said up to 40 percent of health facilities and supplies have been destroyed.

In a rare move, Pyongyang quickly disclosed the damages and sought international assistance. Australia on Sunday promised $2 million in emergency food aid to be distributed by the World Food Program.

"This assistance is in addition to $4 million in humanitarian assistance for food aid, essential medicines, clean water and sanitation Australia has provided to North Korea in the past year," AusAID, the country's foreign aid agency, said.

"Australia will continue to closely monitor emergency needs across the flood zone and stands ready to provide North Korea with further assistance if required."WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (Yonhap)