Dateline ACT

North Korea 01/03

Photo essay: Democratic Republic of North Korea

Photos by Callie Long, ACT International

November 2003

Providing humanitarian assistance to the people of North Korea

Korean Christians Federation (KCF), based in Pyongyang

ACT International, through its members, has been providing humanitarian assistance to the people of the Democratic Republic of North Korea since the 90s, when a flood in mid-1995 devastated the country. The flood marked the beginning of a drawn-out and ongoing "emergency," in that the country simply could not cope with the natural disasters that followed. The collapse of one of North Korea's greatest allies, the Soviet Union, had already dealt the country's economy a severe blow, and with 22 million people to support, the government of this isolated nation could no longer sustain its population. Recent threats of nuclear re-armament by the government have only increased the country's isolation, a country, which at best can be described as fragile and embattled. Millions of North Koreans today rely on the food aid being sent to their country to survive.

Although the actual humanitarian situation has seen some improvement, especially in the nutritional status of the people in general, there is still a need to many people's diets. A bakery in the capital of DPRK, Pyongyang, which is supported by ACT, used the flour donated by ACT members to bake high-protein biscuits. A good harvest in 2002, in combination with a good global humanitarian response, has caused a significant reduction in malnutrition rates. However, "the crisis is not over" was the clear message by the UN's World Food Program (WFP) executive director late last year.

ACT members have provided food and non-food items to various target groups and geographical areas since 1996. ACT works in close cooperation with WFP and FALU, its food liaison unit in DPRK, as well as through its local member, Korean Christian Federation (KCF).

The Korean Christian Federation (KCF) represents the Protestant churches in North Korea and is the equivalent of a national Christian council. KCF joined the DPRK government appeal in 1995 and requested humanitarian assistance and support from ACT. Since then, ACT has worked co-operatively and in coordination with KCF, building on the long-term relations already established through KCF’s work with the World Council of Churches and utilising KCF’s capacity whenever possible for the facilitation and provision of humanitarian work.

     

KFC's Bongsoo noodle factory in the capital, Pyongyang. The noodles are made from flour donated by ACT members and churches in Asia, Europe and the US.

ACT continues to support this goat-farm project in the northeast part of the country. The recently introduced system of private food production and direct marketing to the public is a move supported by ACT's members. The hope is that this shift in policy by the DPRK government will increase food supplies in general. In this instance, the product is the cheese made from the goats' milk.

Pharmaceutical factory: ACT, in cooperation with UNICEF and Difäm (German Institute for Medical Mission), has been providing raw material to pharmaceutical factories in Pyongyang for a number of years. This assistance continues, as will assistance with equipment and machinery if deemed necessary. This year, the assistance is being supplemented by the World Health organization (WHO). The shipments of raw materials have contributed significantly to better medical care for people and have assisted in the development of the national system of pharmaceutical production and distribution. Due to limited contacts with the outside world, North Korean medical staff are faced with a growing need to update their knowledge.

Children and baby homes

DPRK's "orphanages" were hit hardest during the worst famine years, with children showing severe signs of malnutrition. The situation has improved due to the continued humanitarian support for these centers for children since the 90s. Malnutrition rates have fallen significantly: Underweight children from 61% in 1998 to 21% in 2002; wasting (or acute malnutrition) from 16% to 9% and stunting (chronic malnutrition) from 62% to 42%.