KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF* (20 April)

The effects of three consecutive years of natural calamities, which compounded the severe structural problems in the economy and farming sector, have led to a grave food supply situation in the country. The substantial decrease in food production and supply have resulted in severe hardship and rapidly declining nutritional standards of the population. In spite of considerable anecdotal evidence of nutritional deficiencies in the country, no reliable estimates of the extent of the problem exist. There is an urgent need to undertake a random, representative assessment of the nutritional situation in the country.

Early prospects for the next crop season due to begin in May depend considerably on the availability of irrigation water on which key farming operations depend. Water levels in a large number of irrigation reservoirs, however, remain inadequate as a result of last year�s drought and the reduced snowfall this year. Much will depend on rainfall from June to September during which period the country receives most of its annual precipitation. In addition, as productivity and output in agriculture continue to be seriously compromised by deep-seated economic difficulties, prospects for a significant recovery in food production in 1998 do not appear promising. An FAO/WFP Mission is scheduled to visit the country in early June to assess early crop prospects for 1998 and review the food situation.

In the short term there is a continued need for food aid to vulnerable groups. At the same time there is a pressing need for international assistance in the country to help stabilize its food and agriculture situation. In this regard, assistance for agricultural rehabilitation and the provision of essential imports such as seeds, fertilizers and appropriate farm technology is a major necessity. In response to the UN Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal, which earmarks US$23 million (out of a total of US$415.6 million) for agriculture and food security, less than 10 percent has been pledged by donors so far.