wfn.org | Help Needed in North Korea

[RByler@afsc.org]

For Immediate Release
August 6,1996
Contact:  J.Ron Byler (215/241-7060) or Aishah Shahidah Simmons (215/241-7056)

New Flooding Increases Need for Contributions to Avert Famine in North Korea

PHILADELPHIA -- For the second straight summer, severe floods in the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) are threatening the
country's food supply and damaging infrastructure, according to Robert
Hauser, country representative in Pyongyang for the World Food Programme.
Rains fell continuously July 26 to 28, 1996, in the southwest section of the
DPRK, the heart of the country's rice-producing area.  Loss to North Korea's
overall grain production could be as serious as last year when floods,
described as the worst of this century, destroyed 40% of the farmable land
and left half a million people homeless.
	"This recent destruction of crops due for harvest this season will compound
the already severe grain shortage resulting from last year's floods," said
Edward Reed, Quaker International Affairs Representative for the American
Friends Service Committee (AFSC), who interviewed Hauser after Hauser
returned from inspecting the flooded areas.  Reed, who is based in Japan,
left North Korea August 3 with a U.S. educators' delegation organized by
AFSC.  Hauser is appealing to governments and non-governmental organizations
to respond with contributions to help ease the food crisis in the DPRK.
	Organizations and individuals in North America are beginning to respond to
North Korea's need for international emergency food aid.  For example, more
than $34,000 raised earlier this year by the AFSC from Korean-American and
other groups and individuals was used recently by the Canadian Food Grains
Bank (CFGB) toward the purchase of 1,800 metric tons of rice for food relief
in North Korea.  AFSC contributions, along with those from six Canadian
non-governmental organizations, were matched by the CFGB for the rice
shipment valued at US $510,000.  The shipment arrives in North Korea in
early August.
	"It is a powerful act of the human spirit in such times of crisis in the
world, that donations from many people can combine to help people in other
countries, even amidst political disagreement and tensions," said Kara
Newell, executive director of the AFSC.
	Reports from the United Nations prior to the new floods last week indicated
that continued food aid was still needed through the October 1996 harvest,
especially for people in rural and mountainous areas who do not have access
to rations.  Hauser indicated in his interview that the full impact of this
year's diminished harvest will come next spring when food supplies will
begin to run out.
	AFSC has a program with a special focus on Korea, based in Japan since
1994.  The program supports efforts of peacebuilding and reconciliation in
the northeast Asian region and in the U.S.  Since 1980, the AFSC has worked
to promote dialogue with North Korea as a way of reducing tensions.  Under
AFSC sponsorship, representatives from the Korean Committee for Solidarity
with the World's People (KCSWP) visited the United States in November 1995.
The visit to Pyongyang last week by the U.S. Quaker educators' delegation
was by invitation of the KCSWP.
	The AFSC was among the first North American NGOs to respond to the
unprecedented DPRK appeal for international aid last fall with an initial
contribution of $10,000 through the United Nations Department of
Humanitarian Affairs.  A Korea Relief Fund has been established by AFSC as a
response to the appeal.  Additional contributions earmarked for the Fund may
be sent to the American Friends Service Committee at 1501 Cherry Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19102 (1-800-226-9816).  
	For more information, contact Ron Byler, director of media relations for
the AFSC, at 215/241-7060.
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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization which
includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace
and humanitarian service.  Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the
worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence
and injustice.

J.Ron Byler
Director of Media Relations
American Friends Service Committee
PH: 215/241-7060
FAX: 215/241-7275
E-MAIL: RByler@afsc.org
http://www.afsc.org