North Korea is one of the world’s most isolated countries, and its people face chronic food insecurity and poverty. To prevent food shortages, our conservation agriculture and cooperative farm programs help improve food production and nutritional outcomes.
“People are stunted here because they don’t get enough nutrition as children. The physical work that they do every day is enormous.”
— Bríd Kennedy, Regional Director, Concern Worldwide
Chronic food insecurity and childhood malnutrition are widespread in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (informally known as North Korea). Over 10 million people are undernourished, a hunger problem classified as “serious” in the 2018 Global Hunger Index. Increased frequency of droughts and floods have also left the country vulnerable.
*We are currently responding to the threat of COVID-19 in North Korea. Find out more about our response here.
The DPRK has remained extremely vulnerable to frequent disasters and the impact of climate change. In August 2018, over 600mm of rainfall was recorded in 12 hours, which resulted in flooding and landslides that killed 76 people.
Separately, around 20% of the population faces gaps in water supply, with a noted lack of resources to replace dilapidated facilities.
We are proud of Concern’s strong presence in North Korea, addressing one of today’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.
We delivered water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support and winterization kits to 4,700 vulnerable women and children.
We worked in 42 drought-affected cooperative farms to grow food sustainably, build community resilience, improve irrigation systems and modernize food processing facilities.
As part of our water project, we installed a 2.8-mile solar-powered water pipeline, connecting taps to 83 homes and two schools for 335 people living in remote areas.
Our work in North Korea focuses on improving food security and nutritional outcomes and water and sanitation systems. We also respond to emergencies and build climate resilience.
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
