MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government is providing $4
million in humanitarian assistance to the United Nations Inter-Agency
Consolidated Appeal for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Without substantial food aid, about 6.5 million people, including 4 million
children, are in danger of starvation in the DPRK this year. About 70,000
children are also suffering from acute malnutrition.
Malnutrition is being exacerbated by poor health, water, and sanitation
services and the risk of a serious outbreak of disease is significant.
Australia is providing $3 million for the purchase of approximately 6,000
tonnes of Australian wheat flour to help reduce the impact of the famine.
The wheat flour will be used in local factories to produce vital biscuits,
cereal milk blend and noodles for targeted groups including children, pregnant
and nursing mothers and the elderly.
Australia is also contributing $1 million towards UNICEF's Water and
Environmental Sanitation Project.
This project will upgrade water supply and sanitation facilities for 3,500
children in 30 children's homes and 15 branch schools.
The UNICEF Project will also benefit 1 million people in the disadvantaged
counties of Ryanggang, North Hamgyong, South Hamgyong and Kangwon provinces and
2 million people in 10 provincial cities.
This project will also educate households about hygiene and establish
centrally managed local water authority teams to help ensure the effective
ongoing supervision of water supply and sanitation.
This contribution brings total Australian humanitarian assistance to the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea to $43.5 million since the mid 1990s.
Media contacts
Chris Kenny (Minister's Office) (02) 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) (02) 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489