2018/11/19

North Korea

North Korea

Participate

Programmes

North Korea

Satellite

Plan

North Korea (The Democratic People's Republic of Korea - DPRK) is located in the northern part of the Korean peninsula, in East Asia. Occupied by Japan since 1905, Korea gained independence in 1943. The country was afterwards split in two, the northern half administered by the USSR, and the southern part by the United States. This partition was formalized in 1948, with the creation of the Republic of Korea in the South, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the North. Successive North and South Korean offensives on both sides of the border (the Korean War) did not end this division. An armistice signed in 1953 created a demilitarized zone permanently patrolled by more than a million soldiers (North Korean, South Korean and American soldiers), but no peace treaty was signed.

Kim Il-sung, President of North Korea since 1948, developed the economy and politics of the country according to the "Juche" doctrine: a classless society, based on the principle of political independence, economic self-sufficiency and military autonomy. After his death in 1994, his son, Kim Jong-Il, became the leader of the country until his death in 2011. His son, Kim Jong-Un, became the "supreme leader" of the country in 2011.

North Korea suffered severe food crises in the 1990s, partly due to bad weather conditions (floods, then drought), and to the very small proportion of arable land in the country (less than 20%), but also to the economic system and the interruption of support from the USSR and, more generally, from the Soviet bloc, which was annually supplying fertilizers and fuel necessary for agriculture. In 1995, the Government sought foreign aid, which lasted until 2006, the date when North Korea ended emergency humanitarian aid, preferring development cooperation. Since then, only six European NGOs - including Triangle Génération Humanitaire – have been authorized to carry out humanitarian and development programmes with permanent expatriate staff in North Korea.

Despite international community support, the food shortages are likely to continue, and the nutritional quality of available foodstuffs is low. The latest UNICEF survey estimated the rate of acute malnutrition among children under five at 38% in 2014. The population, faced with continuing deterioration of living conditions since the mid-1990s, remains very vulnerable.

Since 2000, TGH has been active in various sectors: agricultural development / food security (rehabilitation of polders, support to cooperative farms), rehabilitation of drinking water supply systems, improvement of sanitation infrastructure, distribution of food aid in children institutions, improvement of the living conditions in retirement homes, support for an association promoting the rights of the elderly, etc.

Current programmes

Improving the child institutions' resilience to food shocks, by upholding some local resources for the development of a sustainable innovative aquaculture in DPR of Korea

The project aims to contribute to the sustainable improvement of the food security, by developing aquaculture activities, and the nutritional status of children dependent on social institutions who are the most vulnerable people considering the persistent technical and organizational deficits in DPRK.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 13,000 children
Duration: 40 months, starting 01/02/2018
Budget: €777,930

Funding

Capacity building of the Federation for the Care of the Aged (KFCA) in order to improve care for the elderly in DPRK.

Since 2004, TGH has been working in partnership with KFCA to improve the living conditions of the elderly in North Korea. This new programme aims at strengthening the partner's skills; improving the capacity of the country's retirement homes; setting up multi-service reception centres for the elderly.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 3 301 508 people
Duration: 24 months 04/2017 - 03/2019
Budget: €533,330

Funding

Improving diet diversity by increasing vegetables production

The project aims at contributing to a sustainable increase of the vegetable production for the most vulnerable populations of Sohung in order to durably improve diet diversity for the inhabitants of Sohung.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 42,578 people
Duration: 36 months 09/2016 - 08/2019
Budget: €1.200,000

Funding

Improving children's diet by enhancing animal protein intake

As a whole, the project aims to contribute to a sustainable improvement of the nutritional status of children dependent on social institutions in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 235,000 people
Duration: 48 months 01/01/2015 - 01/2019
Budget: €1.338.348

Funding

Completed Programmes

Strengthening Civil Society for Improved Old Age Care in North Korea

This programme’s objective is to enable the Korean Federation for the Care of the Aged (KFCA) to strengthen its capacity as a ‘non-state’ actor to improve assistance to the aged, by developing its members skills as well as supporting its fundraising activities and communication campaigns...

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries:3,162,298 people
Duration: 27 months 01/2014 - 03/2016
Budget: €666,000

Funding

Rehabilitation of the Paekhak Dong kindergarten following the floods in Rason City

TGH supports the rehabilitation of a kindergarten, following torrential rains that affected and caused extensive damage in the north of the country between 22 and 25 August 2015.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: Around 120 children
Duration: 1 month 12/2015
Budget: €13 000

Funding

Embassy of UK in DPRK

Improving sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation facilities for the inhabitants of the city of Sohung Phase 2, North Hwanghae Province, DPRK

The project strives to improve sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation facilities for Sohung inhabitants in order to contribute to morbidity and mortality reduction amongst the most vulnerable populations of the DPRK.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 235,000 people
Duration: 10 months 03/2015 - 12/2015
Budget: €225,201

Funding

Improving access to drinking water and sanitation facilities for the inhabitants of the city of Sohung

Sohung, the administrative center of the North Hwanghae Province, has an outdated water network and insufficient sanitation infrastructure to provide adequate access to drinking water for the population of some areas of the city, especially in schools.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 24 months 11/2012 - 11/2014
9 months 04/2014 - 12/2014
Budget: K€448 SIDA
K€153 OXFAM HK

Funding

Improving the system of geriatric care for the elderly in the DPRK

- Purchase and delivery of medical equipment for the National Research Institute for Gerontology
- Organizing of training sessions in gerontology for health workers and medical students
- Awareness-raising on care of the aged through the creation and distribution of brochures

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries:3,587,833 people
Duration: 6 months 06/2014 - 12/2014
Budget: €12,100

Funding

Ambassade de Pologne – Polish Aid

Improving food security of elderly people in retirement homes

The objective of this programme is to fight against malnutrition among the elderly, first through the distribution of food products in 24 retirement homes in the country.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 7,280 people
Duration: 18 months 03/2014 - 08/2015
Budget: €385,000

Funding:

Rehabilitation of the drinking waterworks damaged by typhoons in Kangwon Province in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

On July 19 and 29, 2012, a series of typhoons hit the country, causing torrential and destructive rains and floods. The Provinces of Pyongyang (north and south) and Kangwon were the hardest hit.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 51 000 people
Duration: 16 months 09/2012 - 12/2013
Budget: €75,200

Funding

Improving the quality of food production in the farm of Juk San

Kangwon Province is one of the most vulnerable in DPRK. Supporting vegetable production in the co-op farm of Juk San ensures food diversification in the institutions relying on the popular distribution system.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 19 442 people
Duration:8 months 04/2013 - 12/2013
Budget: €200 000

Funding

Improvement and diversification of the meals served to children in social institutions in Daeane and Sariwon

Over the past two decades, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has had to face many obstacles, being both subject to many natural disasters and to the deterioration of the economic situation. The country experienced chronic food insecurity, especially due to the limited amount of protein and fat intake.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 16 385 people
Duration:14 months 08/2012 - 10/2013
Budget: €140 000

Funding

Improvement and diversification of meals served to children in social institutions

One of the elements of the food crisis presently striking the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is the lack of proteins in the food. This nutritional deficiency particularly affects young children between 0 and 6 years old (11% of the population) whose specific nutritional needs can't be covered.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 46 months 01/2010 - 10/2013
Budget: K€1,026

Funding

On July 22, 2010,

Torrential rains* flooded the dikes along Songchon river and inflicted major damage, especially in the areas of Yonggwang and Sinhung where TGH has been operating since 2010.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Budget: €100 000 & €175 000

Funding

Supporting food security in children institutions relying on milk and fish farms in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

For several years now, TGH has been supporting fish farms supplying children institutions.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 10 months 04/2012 – 02/2013
Budget: €200 000

Funding

Supporting food security in children institutions depending on Sariwon and Deaene farms in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

This program completes the previous. It intends to improve milk production in the farms supplying children institutions, the aim being in fine to increase the children's daily nutritional intake.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 7 months 08/2011 - 02/2012
Budget: €100,000

Funding

Improving Consumption of Milk and Dairy Produce inside Institutions for Children

Specific objective: Improve consumption of milk and dairy products inside institutions for children attached to Sariwon and Daeane farms.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 36 months 11/2010 - 11/2013)
Budget: K€1,390

Funding

Participation in the rehabilitation of the protection infrastructures of the aquaculture farms of Sinhung and Yonggwang in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

The interventions were normal until the month of July 2010, when heavy rains affected the production and damaged some installations in the two fish farms.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 10 311 people
Duration: 12 months 06/2010 - 05/2011
Budget: €99,075

Funding

Sustainable improvement of the sanitary environment in Munchon

The city of Munchon is located on the East coast of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and counts 42 500 inhabitants. In the 60's, a water network had been achieved by the government, but, because of a lack of maintenance and means, the network has become totally obsolete and presents numerous dysfunctions.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 24 months 01/2010 - 10/2011
Budget: K€417

Funding

Improve Access to Better Quality Water for the Population of Munchon

Background and relevance of project: Munchon city, with a population of 42,500, is located on the coast of North Korea. In the sixties, the government built a water network, however, owing to lack of maintenance and means, the network has become obsolete and inoperative.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 9 200 people
Duration: 22 months 07/2009 - 04/2011
Budget: K€399

Funding

Improvement of the potable water network in Munchon

As part of the water and sanitation projects carried out by TGH in this city of 50,000 inhabitants, we performed a new assessment in October 2008. Our aim was to complete the technical documentation about improving and extending the water network; indeed, several areas of Munchun are still not connected.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 15 months 10/2008 - 12/2009
Budget: K€8

Funding

German embassy in North Korea

Food aid in the framework of the Polder rehabilitation scheme

In terms of Triangle's technical and equipment help, the works stage (rehabilitation of outer dike, construction of inner dikes) is almost over.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 7 months 12/2008 - 06/2009
Budget: K€300

Funding

Increase of the food production potential in South Pyongan province. Rehabilitation of Kumsong polder and reinforcement of the Polders Firm's* capabilities.

This programme aims to develop the potential of food production in South Pyongan province by rehabilitating the Kumsong polder and strengthening the capabilities of the Polders Company.

*National firm in charge of rehabilitating and maintaining the polders.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 5 320 people
Duration: 31 months 12/2006 - 08/2009
Budget: K€2,111

Funding

Support to the federation for protection of elderly people

This project extends a programme launched in 2004 that rehabilitated six retirement homes in the various provinces of North Korea and significantly improved the living conditions of the elderly people in the homes.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 24 months 01/2007 - 03/2009
Budget: K€130

Funding

Additional Rehabilitation of the Waterworks System in Munchon Town (42,000 inhabitants).

After two projects dedicated to the rehabilitation of pumping and backflow systems and the increase of the water storage area (the new reservoir of 1000 cubic metres multiplied the original storage capacity by two), we are now working on rehabilitation of the waterworks in Munchon.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 42 000 people
Duration: 7 months 12/2006 - 06/2007
Budget: K€311

Funding

Support to Elderly People with No Families - Phase II

In the first phase of this project we rehabilitated three "old people's homes". During phase two, Triangle modernised three other homes and continued assisting "Help Age DPRK". This North Korean agency dedicated to helping elderly people recently became a federation named KFCA

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 18 months 07/2005 - 12/2006
Budget: K€520 + K€70

Funding

Rehabilitation of the Drinking Waterworks System in Munchon and its Surroundings

Our aim was to increase the quality and quantity of drinking water in the town of Munchon (42,000 inhabitants).

Area of expertise

Key figures

Beneficiaries: 42,000 people
Duration: 20 months 11/2004 - 06/2006
Budget: K€500

Funding

Support to Elderly People with No Families - Phase I

In North Korea, there are 24 homes specialising in care for elderly people who do not have any family support.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 12 months 07/2004 - 06/2005
Budget: K€359

Funding

Reforestation and Protection of the Environment in South Pyongyang and South Hwangae Province (Phase II)

This second phase of the project worked on three new nurseries while developing skills and techniques in the first three tree nurseries designed by Triangle in 2003.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 12 months (January to December 2005)
Budget: 218 K€

Funding

Rehabilitation of Polders in South Pyongyang Province

In the 70s, aiming to increase farmable areas, the Korean authorities developed the west coast's large river deltas in Polders.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 24 months + 12 months 06/2002 - 06/2005
Budget: K€2,760

Funding

Réhabilitation de pépinières et formation du personnel, reforestation et protection de l'environnement (phase I)

This is project was the third of its type to be organised by Triangle in North Korea.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 12 months (January to December 2004)
Budget: K€227

Funding

Rehabilitation of the Drinking Waterworks and Sanitation Systems in South Pyongyang Province

Main aims: Increase the quality and quantity of drinking water in rural areas by rehabilitating current installations. Reduce sanitary and hygiene-related risks through hygiene-awareness campaigns.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 12 months 11/2003 - 10/2004
Budget: 492 K€

Funding

Logistics Support on the Site of the Ryongchon Rail Catastrophe

In the aftermath of the rail catastrophe that took place on April 22 2004 in Ryongchon, Triangle supplied over 10 tons of soap and 4 tons of soybean oil. This aid was given in priority to homeless victims and the inhabitants of Ryongchon.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 2 months (May to June 2004)
Budget: K€10

Funding

Reforestation and Protection of the Environment in South Pyongyang and South Hwangae Provinces (Phase I)

This project prolonged Triangle's programme in support of the reforestation centre of South Pyongyang province. It involved rehabilitation of three tree nurseries and protection of the environment.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 12 months (January to December 2003)
Budget: K€218

Funding

Insulation Works in Schools and Dispensaries in 8 Coop Farms

This project extended our action in the cooperative farms where Triangle had begun working in 2001.

Area of expertise

Key figures

Duration: 10 months 09/2002 - 08/2003
Budget: K€300

Funding

Last updated April 06, 2017

Can aid workers in North Korea help improve local human rights? | NK News - North Korea News

Can aid workers in North Korea help improve local human rights?

The complex demands of humanitarian protection are even more complex when in the DPRK

Nazanin Zadeh-Cummings

July 13th, 2017

The most common examples of humanitarian aid include deliveries of food aid, relief supplies, nutritional supplements, and medicines, as well as the dispatching of healthcare workers, disaster risk reduction experts, and others with knowledge that can help communities heal while building capacity.

But less tangible facets of humanitarian aid exist as well, and humanitarian protection is an example of this. Referred to sometimes simply as “protection”, it involves actions that aim to ensure that a population’s human rights are respected.

For example, let’s say a government has chosen to house individuals from a community displaced by flooding in a state-run shelter until they can safely return to their homes, and may decide to give priority to community members from the majority ethnic group, excluding minorities and forcing them to find alternative housing options.

Protection activities could include lobbying the government to adhere to its human rights commitments, supporting legislation that codifies government responsibilities, educating communities on their rights and options if those rights are violated, and sponsoring peace-building activities aimed at reducing the risk of violence.

This is not an exhaustive list of protection activities, and humanitarians may incorporate protection into other areas of their work in an attempt to build resilience and capacity.

PROTECTING NORTH KOREANS?

Humanitarians working in North Korea are not able to denounce human rights abuses at the hands of the government without jeopardizing their access to the country. Unlike in other contexts, humanitarians do not work with local civil society counterparts, as there is no grassroots, organized civil society in the DPRK to speak of – such groups would detract from the regime’s ability to maintain control.

A long-standing debate among DPRK watchers, experts, activists, and aid workers considers which is more effective: remaining silent and delivering aid, or denouncing human rights violations and pursuing other activities such as smuggling information into the DPRK, raising awareness in other countries, or providing support to defectors.

Additional systemic barriers to protection include government resistance to outside groups influencing policy and a lack of enforcement of existing laws. The North Korean regime does not welcome outside criticism or suggestions on how to run their country, and certainly not from humanitarian agencies or in the realm of human rights.

The regime does seem to recognize the importance of human rights on the international stage, and even has some human rights laws codified in its constitution. These include freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of religious beliefs, and of movement.

In practice, none of these freedoms are respected.

Humanitarians working in North Korea are not able to denounce human rights abuses

The reality of the situation in the DPRK would appear to suggest that humanitarian protection activities would be nonexistent in North Korea. However, a small number of agencies have found space to engage in protection activities alongside the DPRK government.

What is more productive: delivering aid on the ground, or working to change the country from the outside? | Photo by Roman Harak

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK

Handicap International, an NGO with full-time resident international staff in the DPRK since 2001, works to support the Korean Federation for the Protection of the Disabled (KFPD). The KFPD was founded in 1998, and is connected to the Ministry of Public Health. It is one of a number of ‘civil society’ organizations in the DPRK – given this moniker by the government, the groups are still effectively state bodies.

The DPRK’s use of ‘civil society’ and even ‘NGO’ to describe these bodies demonstrates that the authorities perceive these terms to be positive for the image of the groups. A major achievement for Handicap International’s partnership with the KFPD came in 2003, when Handicap International supported the adoption of the Law on Protection of Disabled People.

The passing of this law should not be overstated or misunderstood – North Koreans with disabilities continue to face adverse conditions, and reports on mistreatment of people with disabilities range from claims that they cannot live in Pyongyang to allegations of the government forcibly moving children with disabilities into camps. However, the government’s decision to allow an international NGO to have be involved in the passing of a domestic law is notable.

Handicap International works to support KFPD and build KFPD’s capacity. According to the Handicap International website, Handicap International and the KFPD have projects aiming to boost provincial capabilities as well as train and build KFPD project management capacities. In this case, the DPRK is not only accepting NGO assistance, but permitting a foreign group to help shape a domestic body.

The provincial level involvement demonstrates that both parties see the benefit of equipping lower levels of government with tools to better assist North Koreans with disabilities. The KFPD maintains relationships with other NGOs as well, such as the World Federation of the Deaf. The Federation signed an agreement in 2011 with the KFPD, with the aim of promoting the creation of a national association for the deaf in the DPRK, as well as focusing on improving living conditions for deaf people.

This is notable not because it is widespread, but because it allows some insight into the priorities of the authorities

Triangle Generation Humanitaire (TGH) is another residential NGO that has had an office in the DPRK since 2000. Like Handicap International, TGH partners with a North Korean ‘NGO’ – the Korean Federation for Care of the Aged (KFCA). TGH supports KFCA to increase KFCA’s ability to provide for the elderly in homes and through service centers. Activities have included bringing KFCA staff members to visit a similar organization in Beijing, participating in conferences in Indian and Thailand, and building project management skills.

These cases are not indicative of a larger trend of NGOs being involved in protection activities. They are, however, notable examples of what kind of work is possible in the DPRK. Such projects show the growth of depth and opportunity for humanitarian engagement since projects first began in 1995.

Critics may point out that simply working with an organization that purports to help a vulnerable population is not, in fact, a guarantee that the population will benefit. This is a valid argument. But the DPRK’s willingness to allow these liaisons to happen at all is worth reflecting upon. Why would the DPRK allow even minor protection activities unless the authorities believed there was a benefit?

Some international NGOs are working with local partners | Photo by Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)

ROOM FOR GROWTH?

The NGOs mentioned above have found space, however small, to work on advancing human rights and improving life for vulnerable populations. This is notable not because it is widespread, but because it allows some insight into the priorities of the authorities.

The North Korean ‘NGOs’ are clearly viewed as important enough to warrant partnerships with international NGOs. Both the KFPD and the KFCA work with specific segments of the population. People with disabilities and the elderly are often considered vulnerable populations in other contexts, which may have influenced the DPRK’s decision to allow protection activities in those areas.

The DPRK’s willingness to allow these liaisons to happen at all is worth reflecting upon

Human rights activists may regard engaging in humanitarian protection as simply another way of supporting the regime. Such critics would likely point out that the North Korean ‘NGOs’ are still governmental in nature, and that knowledge transfer and passage of laws may not have an effect on normal people’s lives.

Humanitarians that strongly believe in delivering aid to the North Korean people may also be wary of attempting to begin protection projects, for fear of jeopardizing their access. So while it is unlikely that humanitarian protection will become a popular area of engagement, it is worth watching how existing partnerships evolve.

Edited by Oliver Hotham

Featured Image: North Korea - Children searching for food by Roman Harak on 2011-09-09 09:39:51

North Korea aid agencies 'hit by US sanctions' - BBC News

North Korea aid agencies 'hit by US sanctions' - BBC News

North Korea aid agencies 'hit by US sanctions'

23 May 2013

Image captionAid agencies say their operations are crucial for North Koreans suffering persistent food shortages

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Foreign aid agencies in North Korea say US financial sanctions are severely restricting their operations there.

Six European agencies say foreign banks are no longer transferring money to North Korea's Foreign Trade Bank, which is being targeted by the US Treasury.

The agencies say their projects to support nutrition and agriculture in the country will be affected.

A North Korean envoy has told Chinese officials that his country is ready for dialogue following months of tension.

"North Korea lauds China's enormous efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and... is willing to accept China's suggestion to have talks with all parties," envoy Choe Ryong-hae was quoted as saying by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

But there is no indication when or where talks - which have been in stalemate since 2009 - could take place.
'Cascade effect'

The aid agencies - Save the Children, Concern Worldwide, Handicap International, Welthungerhilfe, PMU-AMI and Triangle Generation Humanitaire - run a range of aid projects in North Korea, supporting nutrition for children and agriculture in a country that suffers from persistent food shortages.

They say their work is being hit hard by a US financial squeeze that was imposed in addition to the more specific sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council.

The agencies have been funding their operations through the Korean Trade Bank, North Korea's main conduit for foreign exchange.

That bank is now being targeted by the US Treasury, which says it supports North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

The move has had a cascade effect, says the BBC's Asia Pacific editor Charles Scanlon, with international banks including the Bank of China shunning North Korea for fear of running foul of the US financial system.

The European Union has angered Washington by resisting formal sanctions, citing concern about the aid agencies.

But that has made little difference to the flow of funds, and some of the agencies are now resorting to carrying in cash from China.

But representatives warn they will not be able to sustain their operations for long that way.