North Korea Asks End of Humanitarian Aid

ROME - Oct 13/05 - SNS -- The North Korean government has asked the United Nations to end all humanitarian aid by the end of the year, although development aid is still sought.

FAO and WFP have conducted annual Crop and Food Supply Assessment Missions to the country since 1995, but such a mission was not requested by the Government in 2005.

"Lower levels of humanitarian assistance would sharply reduce international food aid which has ranged between 600,000 metric tons (MT) and 1.5 million MT over the last ten years. The obvious question is how this can affect food security in the country," said the FAO in a statement about the move.

In October 2004, an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Assessment Mission (CFSAM) estimated total cereal production, including rice, maize, wheat, and other cereals, but excluding potatoes, at some 3.6 million MT. There was no such mission this year, but analysis by FAO/GIEWS of factors such as rainfall during the main growing season, satellite imagery (NDVI) interpretation, various field reports, fertilizer and seed provisions, and the addition of labor to agriculture, suggest a favorable harvest this year. Total 2005 cereal production is expected to reach some 3.9 million MT, the largest crop since 1995.

For 2004-05 (November/October), the country's total cereal imports are estimated to have been 1.26 million MT, of which about 510,000 MT were commercial imports. Total food aid received is estimated to have been 750,000 MT, comprising 400,000 MT of concessional imports from the Republic of Korea, and 350,000 MT of food aid from other sources.

Based on the anticipation of relatively high production this year, the cereal deficit for the 2005-06 marketing year is expected to fall to 890,000 MT. Assuming that commercial imports could feasibly amount to 450,000 MT, and with concessional imports anticipated at 500,000 MT, mostly from the Republic of Korea but also some from China, the country is likely to maintain national food consumption level as before. However, this is low, at some 160 kg per caput (some 180 kg including potatoes), and well below the nutritional requirement based on international standards.

In spite of relatively good production overall, chronic food insecurity is likely to remain widespread. Last year's CFSAM estimated that as many as 6.44 million, or 27 percent of the whole population, were at risk of food shortages during the year. Many of them were children, pregnant women, the elderly, and the under-employed, following factory closures or work-reduction programs. Improving food access for vulnerable groups thus remains a major challenge, and will require national safety-net and/or food assistance program for the neediest.

A new food rationing system was reportedly introduced in urban areas on 10 October. The new system will provide various food rations according to recipient, such as 900 grams of food per day (equivalent to 329 kg/year) for those performing dangerous or heavy labor, and 300 grams (equivalent to 110 kg/year) for family members staying at home. This policy is likely to have critical implications for people not in the workplace.