Growing Danger Of Starvation In North Korea
In the past few decades, the people of North Korea have been suffering from frequent food shortages and malnutrition. According to the World Food Programme, an estimated 10 million people in the country are food insecure and rely on government-provided assistance to survive. Despite this, reports suggest that malnutrition is widespread and continues to worsen in the North Korea. For many families, the struggle for basic sustenance has become a daily struggle for survival.
Experts have concluded that about a third of all North Korean citizens are malnourished and that rates of starvation have increased. Though the exact number of people who have died as a result of food insecurity is not known, estimates from humanitarian organizations and aid workers point to a substantial death toll. In 2013, the BBC reported that the World Food Programme estimated that over the previous two decades, approximately two million citizens had died from famine-related causes – largely due to the government’s poor management of resources and lack of access to adequate nutrition.
An investigation conducted by the United Nations in 2014 revealed that North Korean citizens are facing alarming levels of food insecurity and severe malnutrition, with some facing the risk of starvation. The report also suggested that hundreds of thousands of North Koreans are forced to scavenge for food in order to survive. These reports are deeply concerning and reinforce the growing sense of urgency surrounding the food crisis in North Korea.
The government has done little to improve the dire condition of its citizens, and adequate resources are not available to meet the needs of those already suffering from malnutrition and starvation. Reports from aid organizations suggest that North Koreans fall far short of international standards in health and nutrition, and that the living conditions for many are dire. The lack of food not only affects the health of citizens, but also puts children at risk of developmental delays and stunted growth. In addition, the country’s isolation from the rest of the world limits access to basic healthcare and proper medical care for those who are ill or injured.
Due to the lack of access to food, many North Koreans are forced to rely on dangerous methods of securing nutrition. With no other options, some choose to participate in the black market, trading their limited possessions in exchange for food or vitamins. However, the black market is not always safe or reliable and can be dangerous for those without adequate resources.
Perpetuating The Problem: Sanctions
The international community has imposed sanctions against North Korea in response to the government’s refusal to cooperate with United Nations inspectors regarding nuclear disarmament and other international obligations. Sanctions, however, have been blamed for exacerbating the poverty and food shortages in the country, as well as for creating an environment of political instability.
Sanctions have led to increased prices for fuel and transportation, a lack of resources to purchase food from other countries, and the freezing of government funds. This has all contributed to an already dire food crisis and has only exacerbated the suffering of innocent citizens.
Though the Government of North Korea has denied any connection between the sanctions and the food insecurity, experts agree that the sanctions are having a direct impact on the availability of food and the ability of the government to allocate resources efficiently. The citizens of North Korea are not responsible for the decisions of their leaders and should not be made to suffer for their actions.
Those living in North Korea remain vulnerable to a variety of human rights abuses, and their basic needs often go unmet. Sanctions imposed on humanitarian aid have further disrupted the ability of organizations to provide assistance to those most in need. Without urgent action from the international community and an easing of restrictions on humanitarian aid organizations, the already dire situation facing North Koreans is only likely to worsen.
The Role Of Humanitarian Organizations
In recent years, the international community has begun to work more closely with the Government of North Korea to provide humanitarian assistance, including food aid and other essential resources. Organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to provide aid and improve access to healthcare, but the situation remains dire.
Current estimates suggest that nearly 10 million of North Korea’s 25 million citizens are in need of urgent assistance. According to the British charity, Save the Children, “the humanitarian situation in North Korea has reached its most severe in over 20 years,” and the effects of the food crisis continue to be felt. Organizations such as WFP and WHO are attempting to provide at least some assistance to those in need, but their resources are limited.
The WFP, for example, is making progress in North Korea, though the scope of its operations is limited by the country’s isolation and lack of transparency. The organization provides aid to around 3.5 million North Koreans each month, largely in the form of fortified food for children and such commodities as dry beans, rice, maize, oil and salt.
Though the number of people in need remains high, organizations like WFP and WHO are able to make progress by providing essential resources and helping to improve access to basic healthcare and nutrition. However, it is clear that more action is needed if real and lasting changes are to be made in North Korea.
Fighting To End Hunger
Aid organizations remain on the frontline in the fight to end hunger in North Korea, but more must be done to ensure that the government is held accountable for the suffering of its citizens. Through international pressure and targeted sanctions, the international community can help to ensure that those responsible are held to account and that the humanitarian situation in North Korea is adequately addressed.
Without increased attention, the situation in North Korea remains at risk of slipping into crisis once again. To prevent this, governments and organizations must come together to develop a comprehensive strategy for providing access to food, healthcare and other essential resources to North Koreans in need.
Although progress has been made in recent years, the number of people in need in North Korea is still alarmingly high. To help address the crisis, foreign governments must make an urgent commitment to provide aid and assistance, and help ensure that the people of North Korea have access to the food and healthcare they need.
Quest For Truth
The reality of North Korea is rarely discussed and rarely understood. In a country with very little press freedom, the struggles of ordinary people remain largely unknown. Yet, organizations like the United Nations, WFP and WHO continue to shine a light on the sobering reality of life in North Korea.
Without organizations like these, news of the food crisis in North Korea may never reach the outside world. These organizations frequently report on the devastating effects of food insecurity, the lack of access to basic resources, and the ongoing human rights abuses in the country.
Though these reports may not bring justice to those responsible, they make it clear that the people of North Korea are suffering and that the crisis must be addressed with urgency. Until this happens, aid organizations and the international community remain the last line of defense for the people of North Korea.
Uncertain Future
The international community must come together to address the North Korean food crisis. If increased attention is not paid to the plight of North Korean citizens, the crisis is only likely to worsen. Those living in North Korea have few resources and little support, and the future for many remains uncertain.
With tensions between North Korea and the international community still high, there is a risk that the crisis could reach a tipping point. If the government continues to fail to release information and cooperate with the United Nations, the situation may become increasingly dire.
Only when the international community takes decisive action to provide aid and assistance, and to ensure access to basic resources and healthcare, will the food crisis in North Korea begin to improve. Until then, the struggle for survival continues for millions of North Korean citizens.
