Humanitarian Partners Call for US$ 122 Million to Respond to Urgent Humanitarian Priorities in DPRK in 2016

Humanitarian partners working in DPRK are appealing for a total of USD 122 M for to respond to the most pressing humanitarian needs in the sectors of Health, Food Security & Agriculture, Nutrition, and WASH.
The Needs and Priorities 2016 document shows that among a population of 24.6 million people, approximately 70 per cent (18 million people) are considered food insecure, and are not able to access an adequate and diverse nutritious diet required to live healthily.

Malnutrition rates continue to be a public health concern with significant gaps remaining in nutritional intake, particularly affecting women and under-five children. Health service delivery is inadequate, and many areas of the country are not equipped with sufficient facilities, equipment or medicines. Safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation services are a fundamental problem, contributing to high and chronic instances of diarrhoea, respiratory infections and waterborne diseases. In addition to persistent humanitarian needs, DPRK faces recurring natural hazards, such as floods and droughts. In 2014-2015, eighteen months of abnormally dry weather resulted in a drought, causing a 72 per cent increase on average in cases of diarrhoea from the previous year and a significant increase in malnutrition.

Funding these humanitarian priorities will enable the humanitarian community to reach 13 M beneficiaries, including 12.1 M in the health sector; 2.9 M with nutrition support; 2.8 M through WASH programming; and 1.4 M in the food security sector.