World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

Overview

In April, WFP launched an emergency operation to reach 3.5 million of the most vulnerable children, women and the elderly in DPRK, following one of the most bitter winters in living memory, and a squeeze on commercial imports and bilateral food assistance. 

A rapid assessment in February/March of 2011, the most in-depth WFP has mounted since starting work in the country in the mid-1990s, indicated that over six million people would need assistance in 2011. WFP’s emergency operation is designed to reach the most vulnerable among those least able to fend for themselves. 

The assessment indicated that government food stocks for the Public Distribution System (PDS) were being drawn down almost to zero. By June, cereal rations were 150 grams per person, per day – about a quarter of the ration the government aims to provide. 

WFP’s new operation was launched under the most stringent monitoring conditions agreed in DRPK, including 24-hour notice access to all parts of the operational chain, access to markets and state shops, and the use of Korean speakers of any nationality.