DATE=4/27/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248659
TITLE=NORTH KOREA/FAMINE (L-ONLY) CQ
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAM SAYS NORTH KOREA
HAS RUN OUT OF FOOD FROM THE LAST HARVEST. V-O-A'S STEPHANIE HO
REPORTS FROM BEIJING, THE COUNTRY'S GENERAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM,
WHICH PROVIDES FOOD FOR MOST OF THE POPULATION, WILL HAVE NO MORE
FOOD AVAILABLE AGAIN FOR ABOUT TWO MORE MONTHS.
TEXT: THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM SAYS FOOD DISTRIBUTED THROUGH NORTH
KOREA'S PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM COMPLETELY RAN OUT IN THE
FIRST WEEK OF APRIL.
THE U-N HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR IN NORTH KOREA, DAVID MORTON,
SAYS THIS ANNUAL LEAN PERIOD WILL LAST UNTIL JUNE -- WHEN SOME
VEGETABLES AND POTATOES BECOME AVAILABLE.
UNTIL THEN, MR. MORTON SAYS, THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IS
GIVING OUT ALTERNATIVE FOODS -- INCLUDING EDIBLE ROOTS, GRASSES,
SEAWEED, TREE BARK, CABBAGE STALKS AND CORN STALKS. SOME OF
THESE ARE GROUND UP INTO FLOUR AND MIXED WITH SOME CEREAL TO MAKE
NOODLES OR A TYPE OF CAKE.
IN A NEW EMERGENCY PROGRAM ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK, THE WORLD FOOD
PROGRAM APPEALED FOR 260-MILLION DOLLARS, ABOUT
585-THOUSANDMETRIC TONS OF FOOD AID TO HELP FEED EIGHT-MILLION
NORTH KOREANS.
THE LAST U-N EMERGENCY OPERATION IN NORTH KOREA BEGAN IN APRIL
LAST YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JUNE. IT COST
345-MILLION DOLLARS AND WAS TARGETED AT MORE THAN
SIX-AND-ONE-HALF MILLION PEOPLE. THE NEW PROGRAM IS SET TO BEGIN
IN JULY.
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, NORTH KOREA HAS SUFFERED FROM FAMINE
CAUSED BY BAD MANAGEMENT AND NATURAL DISASTERS.
DESPITE THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM'S EFFORTS, ITS BEIJING SPOKESMAN,
PETER SMERDON, SAYS THE FOOD SITUATION IN NORTH KOREA HAS NOT
IMPROVED. HE ADDS THAT THERE ARE SIGNS OF WHAT HE CALLED DONOR
FATIGUE FROM SOME COUNTRIES. HE NOTES INTERNATIONAL FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROVIDES ONLY TEMPORARY RELIEF, BUT SAYS WHAT
PYONGYANG REALLY NEEDS IS DEVELOPMENT AID.
MR. SMERDON ADDS THAT ALTHOUGH PYONGYANG AUTHORITIES HAVE ALLOWED
WORLD FOOD PROGRAM WORKERS SLIGHTLY BETTER ACCESS TO THE PLACES
THEY NEED TO GO IN NORTH KOREA, THE SITUATION IS STILL FAR FROM
IDEAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/HO/FC/KL/RAE
27-Apr-99 11:00 AM EDT (1500 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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