FN: Nordkoreanere har behov for akut humanitær assistance

Forfatter billede

2,4 millioner har ikke mad nok i Nordkorea, skriver FN torsdag om en af verdens glemte katastrofer, og vedhæfter en appel om 98 mio. dollars til mad og landbrugsstøtte. Sydkorea har meldt sig blandt donorlandene.

NEW YORK, 15 August 2013 (UN News Service): “While the overall humanitarian situation has improved slightly over the last 12 months in North Korea, the structural causes of people’s vulnerability persist,” said UN Resident Coordinator Ghulam Isaczai Thursday.

“External assistance continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the lives of millions whose food security, nutritional status and essential health needs would otherwise be seriously compromised.”

The funds would be used for food and agricultural support, health and nutrition services, and water and sanitation interventions for the remainder of the year, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

South Korean aid
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the appeal, calling on prospective donors to respond to this serious situation and separate their humanitarian assistance from political or security considerations.

“The lives of many people are at stake, including children who are vulnerable to lasting suffering if they do not receive aid,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“In that regard, the Secretary-General appreciates the recent decision of the Government of South Korea to provide humanitarian aid to North Korea through UNICEF [UN Children’s Fund]. He hopes this move will inspire other traditional and potential donors to follow suit.”

Read the full story via the sourcelink (kildelink).