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UN food agency seeks funds to feed over 6 million hungry people in DPR Korea

UN food agency seeks funds to feed over 6 million hungry people in DPR Korea

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today appealed to donors to fund a new $201 million emergency operation to feed 6.4 million vulnerable people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) next year.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today appealed to donors to fund a new $201 million emergency operation to feed 6.4 million vulnerable people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) next year.

“It is vitally important to get adequate pledges promptly if we are to repair the damage caused by enforced aid stoppages since September that have deprived 3 million of the hungriest children, women and elderly people of badly needed help,” said Rick Corsino of WFP. “Hundreds of thousands more face ration cuts early in 2003.”

The situation in the country is improving, but funding has fallen far short of needs, according to WFP, which requires 512,000 tons of cereals and other commodities for 2003, down from the 611,000 tons sought for 2002. However, owing to an unprecedented slump in donations, the agency expects to distribute less than 430,000 tons this year.

WFP’s main beneficiaries will be children, pregnant and nursing women, the elderly, and those particularly affected by natural disasters and the country’s economic downturn.

The agency will also supply raw materials and other inputs to 18 factories that produce enriched blended foods and biscuits for millions of underfed infants and young children, as well as fortified noodles for malnourished pregnant and lactating women.