Since 1996, Mercy Corps, a nongovernment organization, has provided food, agricultural and medical supplies to North Korea. In March, aide workers visited hospitals and orphanages in North Korea.
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
Since 1996, Mercy Corps, a nongovernment organization, has provided food, agricultural and medical supplies to North Korea. In March, aide workers visited hospitals and orphanages in North Korea.
David Austin, North Korean Program Director for Mercy Corps described widespread chronic malnourishment and "an entire generation "that's "stunted physically, developmentally, because of chronic malnutrition."
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
David Austin, North Korean Program Director for Mercy Corps described widespread chronic malnourishment and "an entire generation "that's "stunted physically, developmentally, because of chronic malnutrition."
Austin described driving for hours past fields that looked "very poor" and did not show "a lot of visible resources."
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
Austin described driving for hours past fields that looked "very poor" and did not show "a lot of visible resources."
The North Koreans try to cultivate "every inch of land," according to Austin, but he described an atmosphere of "desperation."
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
The North Koreans try to cultivate "every inch of land," according to Austin, but he described an atmosphere of "desperation."
According to Austin, in seven visits since 2007 he's been to dozens of orphanages and hospitals and more than 19 private homes. He describes a population "lethargic" from malnutrition.
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
According to Austin, in seven visits since 2007 he's been to dozens of orphanages and hospitals and more than 19 private homes. He describes a population "lethargic" from malnutrition.
Austin recounted how one orphanage caregiver told him on his March visit the children there had not been given protein since January. "That tells us not only are they not getting a balanced diet, but in terms of the rations they're getting only about 60% of what a child needs."
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
Austin recounted how one orphanage caregiver told him on his March visit the children there had not been given protein since January. "That tells us not only are they not getting a balanced diet, but in terms of the rations they're getting only about 60% of what a child needs."
Austin is troubled that the U.S. plans to call off a massive shipment of food aid -- a year's worth of corn-soy porridge mixed with vegetable oil for kids under age 10 and pregnant women.
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
Austin is troubled that the U.S. plans to call off a massive shipment of food aid -- a year's worth of corn-soy porridge mixed with vegetable oil for kids under age 10 and pregnant women.
Mercy Corps brought some food supplies to the country during their trip last month.
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
Mercy Corps brought some food supplies to the country during their trip last month.
Mercy Corps worries that delay or potential cancellation of food aid would violate the humanitarian principle that lifesaving assistance should not be used to achieve political aims.
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
Mercy Corps worries that delay or potential cancellation of food aid would violate the humanitarian principle that lifesaving assistance should not be used to achieve political aims.
Mercy Corps' Austin is careful not to criticize the administration, but Austin says, "there is an opportunity to engage positively and constructively with a group of people the White House describes as innocent and starving, and we can do that."
U.S. aid organizations fear for North Korea —
Mercy Corps' Austin is careful not to criticize the administration, but Austin says, "there is an opportunity to engage positively and constructively with a group of people the White House describes as innocent and starving, and we can do that."