wfn.org | AFSC: North Korean Food Relief

[RByler@afsc.org]

For Immediate Release
April 1, 1997
Contact:  J.Ron Byler (215/241-7060)
or Aishah Shahidah Simmons (215/241-7056)

AFSC Renews Efforts to Raise Funds for North Korean Food Relief

PHILADELPHIA - In response to reports of impending famine in North Korea,
the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), along with other
international relief agencies, is renewing its efforts to raise money for
food relief.  More than two million children in North Korea are threatened
with starvation when the current food supply runs out in April, according to
the executive director of the World Food Program (WFP) who recently returned
from North Korea. 
	"Because scarce food supplies are distributed through a national ration,
which has now fallen below what is needed to maintain body weight, millions
of people will reach the point of starvation at the same time," said Ed
Reed, AFSC Quaker International Affairs Representative.  Reed is concerned
that the recent pledge by the United States government of $10 million to the
World Food Program's appeal for aid to North Korea is too little too late. 
	A February letter from AFSC and other international aid organizations to
Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright called on the Clinton
Administration "to reestablish a policy of providing food assistance ...
irrespective of our diplomatic agenda."  Aid organizations are concerned
that pressure from the South Korean government for political concessions in
return for humanitarian assistance to North Korea is affecting U.S. policy.
"We must not let Cold War barriers prevent us from responding to human
suffering," said Reed.
	Repeated flooding in North Korea in 1995 and 1996 destroyed rice fields and
have left a half million people homeless.  Most of the country's 24 million
people have been living on minimal rice rations for more than a year.
	AFSC has been active in flood relief efforts since the summer of 1995 and 
continues to monitor the situation in North Korea through its regional
office in Japan.
People can contribute to relief efforts in North Korea by sending their
contributions to the AFSC Korea Relief Fund, 1501 Cherry Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19102, or, for credit card contributions, by calling (888)
588-AFSC (toll free).  
	For more information, contact Alice Andrews, AFSC Asia Programs, at (215)
241-7149.
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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