Aid to North Korea neededMennonite Central Committee North Korea -- The United Nations recently warned that millions of people face starvation in North Korea unless foreign aid is dramatically increased. Children are at great risk of malnutrition. In spring 2000, MCC shipped 91.2 metric tons (115,200 cans) of canned beef to Kangwon Province on the east coast of North Korea, enough to feed more than 82,000 recipients for approximately 41 days. The beef was given to pregnant and nursing women at distribution centers across the province and to residential children's homes.  "Beneficiaries welcome the beef for its essential nutritional value, as well as its dietary variation," reported Hong Chang Bom of the Food Aid Liaison Unit, a group of non-governmental organizations that monitors material aid. Hong, who visited recipient families, reported that although the women's nutrition seems to be improving, low birth weights and insufficient weight gain during pregnancy continue. MCC plans to ship another 91.4 metric tons of canned beef and 12,000 newborn kits, which include clothing, diapers, blankets and soap to North Korea in 2001. For information on contributing, contact the nearest MCC office or log on to www.mcc.org/respond/kits.
For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org |
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