Swiss Support To WFP In DPR Korea Reaches Record High In 2016

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2016-12-06

In 2016, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed record level contributions from Switzerland - totaling more than US$8 million - to reach children and women with nutrition assistance in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The Swiss support is helping WFP to reach 650,000 children and mothers for a period of ten months.

The 2016 donations by the Humanitarian Division of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation were highlighted with a visit to the port of Nampo by a delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation office in DPRK on Dec 06. The delegation witnessed the off-loading of the latest shipment of Swiss-donated powdered milk - an essential ingredient for highly nutritious fortified biscuits and cereals which WFP produces and distributes in DPRK under its programmes. WFP received over 2,000 metric tonnes of powdered milk from Switzerland this year.

“This year, Switzerland allocated additional funds to WFP’s work in DPRK in light of the humanitarian needs caused by the floods in the north of the country,” said Thomas Fisler, Head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) office in DPRK. “Switzerland remains committed to supporting WFP’s nutrition assistance in DPRK. We particularly value WFP’s extensive field monitoring efforts in DPRK. This is essential in assessing the nutritional impact of food assistance for those young children and women who need it most.”

“Switzerland is WFP’s largest humanitarian donor in DPRK and has given over US$8 million in 2016 alone. Thanks to Switzerland’s reliable and principled support, WFP can ensure that children get the right nutrients during the first 1,000 days of their lives. This is extremely important for their development and will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” said Mats Persson, WFP’s Deputy Country Director in DPRK.

More than 70 percent of the population in DPRK is food-insecure. Many people suffer from chronic malnutrition due to a poor diet lacking in essential proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. This is particularly problematic for young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. WFP assists children and women through nutrient-dense, specialised foods.

Source:World Food Programme

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