MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce Australia will provide $4 million in humanitarian assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
This includes $3 million in food aid through the World Food Programme (WFP), $500,000 for World Health Program (WHO) health kits and $500,000 to UNICEF for water and sanitation assistance.
North Korea faces serious problems including an overall food deficit, energy restrictions, severe degradation of agricultural land and very poor infrastructure and social services. There are indications that malnutrition rates amongst children are again increasing and recent flooding will reduce agricultural production.
Australia's $3 million contribution to WFP will be in the form of Australian wheat flour, which is used to produce blended food products and high nutrient biscuits for children, pregnant and nursing women as well as elderly people.
Shipments of Australian wheat flour earlier this year helped feed more than two million women and children and helped keep of eight WFP food production factories in operation.
Many smaller hospitals in DPRK suffer from an acute lack of even basic medical supplies and equipment. Australia's contribution to the WHO will be used to provide standardised hospital kits to seven county hospitals. The kits include all the basic medical equipment necessary for small hospital such as forceps, scalpels, a microscope, and tables as well as a small generator and basic lighting for the operating theatre. This forms part of a larger WHO activity that includes training, technical support and provision of essential drugs.
Australia's contribution to UNICEF will allow the organisation to expand its water and environmental sanitation activities. UNICEF is upgrading water supply and sanitation facilities for vulnerable children in 30 children's homes and 15 schools. These children suffer from malnutrition and their poor physical condition is exacerbated by poor water supply and sanitation.
This takes Australia's humanitarian assistance to DPRK since 1996-97 to almost $50 million.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489