After crop failures, North Korea reduced the daily ration for food. The humanitarian needs in the country is enormous, says Lars Düerkop of the world hunger help. However, sanctions the organization make the job more difficult.
A farmer in a greenhouse in Manyongdae, a suburb of Pyongyang, funded by the deutsche Welthungerhilfe
Deutsche Welle: The food in North Korea are scarce. How bad the Situation is currently?
Lars Düerkop: The daily Ration was recently put on 300 grams. The measure is due to the poor harvest last year. This is due to Flooding and a strong heat wave. Add to that a very dry Winter. This is primarily of Corn, rice and potato has been reduced output. The government is currently in the established international organizations for food assistance.
Lars Düerkop, the country Director of Welthungerhilfe in North Korea
How is the food in a planned economic System?
At the public distribution points. The optimal daily Ration of grain, Corn and potatoes, it was set to 576 grams per head. These rations will be increased according to the availability of food or reduced.
The first of the new crop is ready in June. Therefore, first the rations for government staff and workers to 300 grams of reduced. Children, women and the elderly, however, are not affected in a first step. Who needs more food, the option of co-payment.
That is to say, who has money, then you can purchase rice in addition?
Yes, you can buy the “small markets” food. In a shortage situation, but then also more expensive.
The state Cooperative produce food according to a certain Plan. Who is on the Plan, may be the more income.
The greenhouse of the German Welthungerhilfe in North Korea, which was built prior to the imposition of sanctions
Had been climatic reasons as the cause for the food shortage. There are other reasons?
The government in North Korea, the international sanctions as the reason. The necessary agricultural machinery, fuels, fertilizers were to be introduced.
Even with the Import of greenhouses we have as a development organization difficulties since the Supports are “metal rods” that are on the sanctions list.
North Korea has a very harsh Winter. The greenhouses are used to extend the growing season. The applications for exemption permits are now with the sanctions Committee of the United Nations in New York. We hope for speedy processing.
The Welthungerhilfe is currently the only German non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian aid in North Korea. How can you help the people in North Korea despite the sanctions, specifically?
We have financed aid programmes, with the funding from international donors. We apply special sustainable farming methods that are better adapted to periods of drought and Flooding.
We also operate projects for emergency preparedness, such as the construction of gabions (stone-filled wire baskets) as Bank protection and flow limits, so that the cultivated areas will not be affected by further Flooding. All of these measures serve to secure the agricultural production.
Apple plantation in the province of Hamhung, North Korea
How to be accepted the assistance of North Korean peasants?
You are accepted as a very welcome. The most important question in the case of projects, the sustainability is often. Here in North Korea we find that even after years, that the machines and greenhouses are used by the local farmers. But still is a great need for development assistance exists here.
Lars Düerkop is the country Director of Welthungerhilfe in North Korea. Welthungerhilfe currently supports projects in the areas of food security, emergency preparedness, and drinking water supply in rural areas of six North Korean provinces.
The Interview Hao Gui.