North Korea
North Korea
North Korea is a country of approximately 24 million people who have struggled since the early 1990s from the consequences of a dramatic economic downturn and a series of natural disasters which devastated agricultural production. This ultimately led to widespread famine which took the lives of over one million people. During this period, the country saw a 50% fall in per capita income, a decline in life expectancy and increased infant mortality rates.
The country has yet to recover from this setback, and has since then periodically been reliant on external humanitarian assistance, particularly in the form of food aid.
A new hunger crisis
In 2011, North Korea’s already vulnerable agricultural production was further disrupted by harsh winter weather and repeated storms and flooding which damaged the year’s harvests. With growing oil prices and North Korea’s falling export earnings, the country could not afford to import the necessary food to fill this gap.
At some points in 2011, daily food rations were reduced to only one fifth of a person’s minimum daily energy requirements, and cases of malnutrition, particularly among children, increased significantly. In the summer months, more storms and flooding resulted in a shortfall in food production from the main harvest. While the conditions seem to be somewhat improved in 2012, the food supply is again insufficient, putting those who already have a vulnerable health status at further risk.
Read more about the food shortages in North Korea here
Mission East acts to help the most vulnerable
In 2011, Mission East was, for the first time, granted access to North Korea to carry out two emergency interventions to distribute food aid to kindergartens and nurseries, first in North Pyongyang Province and later in Kangwon Province. This aid provided a balanced diet for young children who are at a critical stage for growth. Inadequate nutrition at this point can cause stunted physical growth or psychological problems which can last a lifetime. It is estimated that more than one third of all children in North Korea under five are chronically malnourished or stunted. In 2011, Mission East was able to distribute food to over 27,000 young children in North Korea. In 2012, we will continue to assist with supplementary food for vulnerable children.
While responding to the acute crisis we wish to also help the population avoid these kinds of hunger crises in the future by providing agricultural trainings and nutrition education.
The mothers are helpless
Overall it is estimated that as many as 400.000 children in North Korea are severely malnourished. This 11-month old girl is one of 25 children hospitalized in a children's hospital in Kangwon because of malnourishment. She needs medical treatment, but the hospital has almost nothing to offer. See more videos from North Korea here. |
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