ICRC/Krakolinig P., Ref. KP-N-00001-20
Main building of ortho centre Songrim (rehabilitation room, fitting room, production hall). 06/11/2002

An ICRC limb-fitting project was initiated in North Korea in 2002, in cooperation with the national society and the ministry of health. A three-year cooperation agreement was signed in March.

The workshop is located in Songrim, a city some 30 km south-west of Pyongyang: local technicians began their training in June 2004, and production of artificial limbs started the following month.

Official figures indicate there are some 36,000 amputees in North Korea, but the country’s rehabilitation facilities can provide artificial limbs for only 4,600 patients a year.