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China-Japan-Koreas | |||
Millions of N. Koreans Face Food Shortages | |||
2010-11-19 | |||
The United Nations is warning of continued food shortages in North Korea where about one third of the population is not receiving adequate nutrition. The latest food production report from a pair of UN agencies shows food production has increased only marginally over the past year. North Korea needs more than half a million tons of imported grain in the next year to feed itself. That is the conclusion of two UN agencies after their latest mission to the isolated and impoverished nation.
"We are hoping that donors will change their mind and support our programs so that we can separate the humanitarian issues from the political issues," said Victoria Sekitoleko, the FAO's regional representative. Outside assistance has been minimal in the past few years. Sanctions on Pyongyang, because of its nuclear programs, have hampered efforts to attract food and other needed aid.
The WFP and FAO say international aid is needed to help five million of the most vulnerable North Koreans -- children, pregnant and nursing women and the elderly. The head of the WFP's food security unit warns of a "severe negative impact" if the chronic food deficits are not effectively managed should there be a "small shock in the future." That is a reference to the precarious state of the country's agricultural sector and the economy. Serious flooding in recent years has played havoc with harvests. Production of staple foods such as rice for this year rose just three percent from the previous year.
South Korea recently made its first shipment of donated food to the North since 2007. But the 5,000 tons of rice and three million packets of instant noodles pale in comparison to the half million tons of food aid shipped annually to North Korea under the previous administration here, which promoted the so-called Sunshine Policy of engagement with Pyongyang. The current South Korean administration says large-scale aid cannot resume until Pyongyang takes steps to get rid of its nuclear weapons. | |||
Posted by:Steve White |
#3 Heartless!! |
Posted by: Moonbat Enabler 2010-11-19 21:51 |
#2 Cry me a river. |
Posted by: mojo 2010-11-19 15:26 |
#1 I'm getting very tired of this repeated Bullshit, obviously it's untrue, or they'd have starved years ago. Obviously this well played lie is to Get freebies through guilt. Moonbat enablers screaming "Heartless" in 5-4-3-2-1 |
Posted by: Redneck Jim 2010-11-19 09:05 |