UN says 10 million North Koreans at risk of starvation
North Korea's food production has dropped sharply due to harsh climate and shortages of fertilizer and fuel caused by international sanctions.
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A North Korean farmer walks on a village road in South Hwanghae. Photo:Reuters |
About 40% of North Korea's population is suffering from severe food shortages and is at risk of further cuts to its minimum rations as this year's harvest is the worst in 10 years, a United Nations (UN) report said on May 3.
The data was released after a working trip to North Korea by experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in March 2019 and November 2018.
"10.1 million North Koreans are food insecure, meaning they won't have enough food until the next harvest," said Herve Verhoosel, a WFP spokesman. UN officials said rations for North Koreans have been reduced to 300 grams a day, an all-time low this year. North Korea has a population of more than 25 million.
Verhoosel said North Korea is not currently facing a famine, but could face one in the coming months or years. "The situation is serious. That's the reality," he said.
North Korea's food production was 4.9 million tonnes, the lowest since 2008-2009, leading to a shortage of nearly 1.4 million tonnes in 2018-2019. Crop production was reduced by about a fifth due to freezing conditions in winter.
Mario Zappacosta, head of the FAO monitoring mission to North Korea, said the organization was concerned about the production of wheat, barley and potatoes, the staple foods of the people, even though they only account for 10% of North Korea's total food production.
In addition to harsh climate conditions, North Korea's agricultural sector is also facing fuel and fertilizer shortages due to international sanctions, which were imposed to pressure Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program.
Nicolas Bidault, co-leader of the WFP assessment team, said many North Korean families live on a very simple diet of rice and kimchi for most of the year, with very little protein. North Korea has relied heavily on food aid provided by the United Nations for many years.
UN experts have recommended that the international community increase food aid and nutrition programs to help North Koreans cope with future "shocks." They also proposed providing the country with modern agricultural equipment to reduce the risk of crop failure.
North Korea suffered a severe famine in the mid-1990s that killed an estimated 3 million people. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has recently stepped up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with the US and focus on economic development. However, US-North Korea denuclearization talks are at a standstill after the second summit between the two countries' leaders failed to produce results.
