| answer text |
<p>We assess that North Korea’s humanitarian need is likely increasing as a result
of the country’s border lockdown in response to COVID-19. The lockdown has prevented
most aid shipments from entering the country since January and restrictions on internal
movement, including for UN agencies and NGOs, has severely impacted the distribution
of aid and support. The UN estimates that 10.1 million people suffer from food insecurity
and are in urgent need of food assistance.</p><p>DFID is providing multilateral funds
to the UN and other international organisations providing humanitarian assistance
in North Korea, including the Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) in response
to COVID-19. As a country of concern in the GHRP, North Korea is receiving funds from
this global appeal. We continue to make clear to the North Korean government that
international support is available, and urge them to restore international access
and monitoring for humanitarian assistance. The UK has also repeatedly called on North
Korea to prioritise the well-being of its people over the development of illegal weapons
programmes, through our bilateral relationship and in multilateral fora.</p>
|
|
