Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


International Aid Group: North Korea's Food Shortages Worsened by Drought

Cho Eun-jung

   Christy Lee of VOA's Korean Service contributed to this report.

   WASHINGTON --North Korea, buffeted by the worst drought in more than 35
   yearsand anticipating summer flooding, faces deepening food shortages,
   even as the regime spends millions of dollars to skirt international
   sanctions in order to expand its nuclear weapons program.

   The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
   (IFRC) told VOA's Korean Service that the humanitarian situation in
   North Korea is "concerning" as it is monitoring "the ongoing drought
   and its impact on the already precarious food security situation."

   The head of IFRC, Secretary General Elhadj As Sy, visited North Korea
   July 22-25 to assess the country's humanitarian needs.

   "We are concerned about the potential impact of the approaching flood
   season," an IFRC official told VOA's Korean Service Thursday. "We are
   now seeing the multiple effects of the drought such as mal- and
   undernutrition as well as a rise in water borne diseases, including
   diarrhea."

.