New York--- The United Nations has called for some $111 million to fund its humanitarian operations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DRPK) in 2015, covering activities in food and agriculture, health and nutrition, and water and sanitation.
"DPR Korea is both a silent and underfunded humanitarian situation," said UN Resident Coordinator Ghulam Isaczai in a press release. "Protracted and serious needs for millions of people are persistent and require sustained funding."
The call comes as the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released its latest assessment that addresses the country’s critical humanitarian needs which remain drastically underfunded.
According to the UN, among a population of 24.6 million people, approximately 70 per cent (18 million people) are considered food insecure, and are not able to access an adequate and diverse nutritious diet to live healthily.
Malnutrition rates continue to be a public health concern, with the chronic malnutrition (stunting) rate among children under five at 27.9 per cent; 4 per cent of them are acutely malnourished (wasting), according to the 2012 National Nutrition Survey. (QNA)
AFP
