wfn.org | REGIONAL: ASIAN CHURCHES CALL FOR FOOD AID TO NORTH KOREA

[a.whitefield@quest.org.uk]

Title:REGIONAL: ASIAN CHURCHES CALL FOR FOOD AID TO NORTH KOREA
June 13, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London, England

[97.6.2.1]

REGIONAL: ASIAN CHURCHES CALL FOR FOOD AID TO NORTH KOREA

(CCA) The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), the regional ecumenical
organisation in Asia representing 119 member Churches and 14 national
councils in 16 countries has called on Governments and Churches in Asia
and around the world to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and
food relief to North Korea.

In a statement signed by its four presidents and other officer bearers,
the CCA expressed its concern with regard to the desperate situation in
North Korea following the destruction of much of North Korea's rice
fields and food stocks after massive floods in 1995. The CCA has stated
that meeting the immediate human needs of millions of North Koreans,
many who face possible starvation if grain from abroad is not
forthcoming, must be the first priority and concern of the international
community and ecumenical family.

In a letter to its member Churches and national Councils the CCA
requested people to remember the flood victims in North Korea in their
prayers and to help them. They urged Christians to urge their
governments to extend aid to the country without preconditions and to
continue to bear witness to the efforts of the Churches to bring about a
secure future for the people, and lasting peace and reunification in the
Korean peninsular.

The CCA particularly called on the governments of South Korea, Japan and
the US to de-link the issue of food aid and humanitarian assistance from
any strategic and/or immediate political concerns they have with the
country.