MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Government will contribute $250,000 to the International
Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) emergency appeal, to help victims of the
devastating train explosion in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK).
The IFRC emergency appeal aims to assist up to 2,000 families affected by
the disaster and Australia's contribution will be channelled through the
Australian Red Cross to the IFRC.
The IFRC is the best-placed organisation to coordinate the relief effort
after the massive explosion at Ryongchon railway station left over 150 people
dead, over 1300 people injured and thousands homeless.
Australia is also providing a further $3 million in food aid to DPRK,
through the World Food Programme (WFP).
The $3 million will be used to purchase 6,000 tonnes of Australian wheat
flour to produce biscuits, cereal, milk blend and noodles for school children
and other vulnerable groups.
Without substantial food aid, about 6.5 million people, including 4 million
children, are likely to go hungry in the DPRK this year. About 70,000 children
are also suffering from acute malnutrition.
This latest contribution brings Australia's total
humanitarian assistance to DPRK this financial year to $6 million.
Since 1994/95, Australia has provided $46.5 million in humanitarian
assistance to DPRK.
Media contacts:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) (02) 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Dominic Morice (AusAID) (02) 6206 4220 or 0417 683 126