North Korea Food Aid

Feed the Hungry Children of North Korea

Young Koreans United of USA (YKU) and Friends of the World Food Programme (WFP) have joined forces to end hunger in North Korea. North Korea has one of the highest rates of acute malnutrition in the world. According to WFP reports, over 60 percent of North Korean children are malnourished. To combat this alarming situation, WFP currently provides hunger relief to 8 million North Koreans, 68 percent of whom are children.

How?

One way WFP helps children is by producing staple food in the form of high-nutrition biscuits and distributing them through existing schools and nurseries. The biscuits contain the essential nutritional ingredients necessary for children's growth, including rye, sugar, salt, vitamins and minerals.

WFP already has a wide-reaching distribution network set up in North Korea. WFP can reach North Korea's 163 counties throughout. Currently, WFP has 5 biscuit factories operating in North Korea. The operation cost is entirely covered by WFP's own budget. Therefore, your donation is used only for buying materials for the nutritional buscuits that will be distributed to the children throughout North Korea.

Is It Enough?

Despite WFP's enormous efforts, the needs of North Korea's hunger are greater than WFP's resources. To address this continuing need, Friends of WFP and YKU are working together to raise funds for specific needs at the WFP-operated biscuit factories, including the costs of food items. Through this project, $2 will provide a child with one month's supply of high-nutrition biscuits, thereby providing North Korean children with a fighting chance at life. According to WFP report, WFP's cereal contribution will run out in April in spite of increased food supply since 1997. "Unless the food situation in North Korea is alleviated soon, the children will suffer heavily," Yeon Ok Suh, YKU of LA, stated. "Urgent relief is needed now."

How does the famine affect children?

Inadequate nutrition during childhood is likely to damage health, mental development and decrease future productivity. Thus, hunger robs children of their future. "This project is not simply applying a band aid to a current problem," Heesook Kim, YKU of NY, explained. "It provides hope for the future. With this program, we hope to help end the cycle of hunger that currently plagues North Korea. Therefore, we need to have a persistent and long-lasting campaign."

What has been YKU's effort to help the famine in North Korea?

YKU is a national grassroots organization that works on Korea and Korean American issues to promote peace, justice and democracy. YKU was one of the first US-based organizations that actively sought food relief efforts for North Korea's hunger. Since 1996, YKU has raised over $300,000, primarily through small donations from concerned Korean Americans.

Who is the World Food Programme?

WFP is the United Nations' front-line agency in the fight against global hunger. In 1999 WFP fed more than 88 million people in 82 countries including most of the world's refugees and internally displaced people.

Who is the Friends of World Food Programme?

Friends of the World Food Programme is dedicated to increasing awareness of the issue of hunger worldwide and mobilizing support for the WFP operations that alleviate hunger. Contact Friends of WFP at P.O. Box 11856, Washington, D.C. 20008.