Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme

Report No. 17 of 1997 Date: 25 April 1997

PART I - HIGHLIGHTS

(Details below in Part II)

A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

1. Update

a) Food situation worsens. UN Inter-Agency appeal launched 7 April includes enlarged WFP food aid component valued at USD 95.5 million, out of total requirements of USD 126.2 million. b) WFP food shipments to arrive in DPR Korea in early May.

PART II - DETAILS

A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

1. UPDATE

1.1 The food situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is worsening. Information released by the Government and assessments conducted by humanitarian agencies confirm the very precarious situation with clear signs of nutritional deterioration. In particular the health and nutritional status of the children have become matters of grave concern, as highlighted by the WFP Executive Director after her visit to DPR Korea in March.

1.2 A UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Flood-Related Emergency Humanitarian Assistance for the period April 1997 to March 1998 was launched on 7 April. Out of the total requirements of USD 126.2 million identified in the Appeal, USD 95.5 million, or 76 percent, refer to WFP food aid.

1.3 The focus of WFP work in the months following the October/November main harvest has been support to clearing of flood-affected agricultural land and the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure. The major part of the current operation concerns nutritional support for all children six years of age and under. Rations will be provided in nurseries and kindergartens. A small component of the WFP assistance will be used for hospital feeding.

1.4 Commitments so far towards the current emergency operation (EMOP 5710.02) total USD 33.9 million. Major donors include the USA (USD 25 million), South Korea (USD 6 million), and Australia (USD 2.2 million). Denmark, Finland, Norway, New Zealand and a Japanese NGO have also confirmed contributions.

1.5 Expected shipments during May include two vessels from the USA with a total of 15,400 metric tons (mt) of maize, 6,600 mt of rice and 6,700 mt of corn-soya blend (CSB) of which 5,000 mt is part of the US contribution and the balance bought for other cash contributions. An additional 28,775 mt of rice, bought within the region by WFP using fund donated mostly by the European Community for the previous phase of the operation will also arrive during May. Other regional purchases for a total of about 10,000 mt of cereals are being processed. Shipping arrangements are being made for a further 50,000 mt of maize from the USA.

1.6 An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to DPR Korea is scheduled for 17-24 May.

(End WFP Emergency Report No. 17 of 1997 - April 25, 1997)