7,000 MT Canadian Flour for Korea

WINNIPEG - May 14/02 - SNS -- The Canadian Foodgrains Bank has donated 7,000 metric tons (MT) of Canadian wheat flour to North Korea, with the first shipments leaving Canada later this month.

"There has been a chronic food shortage in North Korea for a number of years, due to economic problems following the end of support from the Soviet Union, their major trading partner," said Jim Cornelius, Executive Director of the Winnipeg-based aid agency.

"This flour will provide food assistance to 3 million women and children for a 3 month period. The women are pregnant or nursing mothers and the children are in orphanages, kindergartens and schools. A United Nations agency found that over 50% of the children have suffered stunted growth and development due a number of factors, the primary one being lack of food."

ADM Milling Company was awarded the tender and is milling the flour in its Calgary and Medicine Hat mills. The vessel is scheduled to load the first 1,000 MT will be loaded into 50 containers and leave Vancouver Friday 24 May to arrive in North Korea, late June or early July.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank is also supplying iron and Vitamin A supplements as the flour will be made into fortified biscuits and noodles in North Korea, prior to distribution.

The Catholic Relief Agency, Caritas, and staff affiliated with Canadian Foodgrains Bank in North Korea will provide local planning and monitoring of the food distribution.

"The need is great and this food will make a significant difference in people's lives," said Cornelius. "We are also pleased that the Canadian International Development Agency is providing 4:1 matching dollars to support this project, which greatly enhances the work of the many Canadians who donate cash and grain to help others."