MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide $3 million of Australian
wheat as a contribution to a World Food Program (WFP) feeding program in North
Korea in response to a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Australia's contribution follows an appeal by United Nations
Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, for urgent assistance from Australia and other
nations to help avert serious food shortages.
The Australian wheat will be used by local food factories, supported by WFP,
to produce nutritionally fortified biscuits and other blended foods for young
children and babies.
WFP's current emergency operation to North Korea targets 6.5 million
vulnerable people (children, nursing mothers, and the elderly). It is reaching
less than half those people owing to a funding shortfall.
Australia's contribution will help maintain the significant gains made over
the past several years in reducing malnutrition among vulnerable groups affected
by North Korea's chronic food shortages. It brings the total of Australian
humanitarian food aid to North Korea since 1996-97 to about $39 million.
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 6277 7500 or 0419 206890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489