Humanitarian aid to North Korea, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand

The European Commission has recently taken humanitarian aid decisions for North Korea, the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and the Burmese refugees in Thailand. The assistance is channelled through its Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), which comes under the authority of Commissioner Poul Nielson.

Nepal - €2 million

The aim of this decision is to assist the 102,000 Bhutanese refugees who are living in camps in south-east Nepal and who rely almost entirely on rations provided by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP). During the last two years, the UN agency has experienced increasing difficulties in obtaining funding to ensure an adequate flow of food to the camps. Last year, ECHO provided €1.9 million for the WFP operation and a further €2 million has now been allocated for this ongoing humanitarian action. The food supplies are purchased mainly on the local markets.

North Korea - €1.5 million

Winter-needs assistance is being provided for vulnerable groups in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The country is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to a variety of factors including a lack of energy resulting in frequent power cuts, failing health services, insufficient food supplies and severe weather events. Many public institutions, including schools and hospitals, are in a very poor state of repair exposing pupils and patients to freezing conditions during the winter months. The main focus of this decision is on renovation works designed to insulate the worst-affected buildings and on providing heating systems and stoves. Blankets, mattresses and bed linen will also be supplied. The decision should benefit 95,000 people directly, including more than 60,000 children.

Thailand (Myanmar/Burma border) - €200,000

Emergency assistance is being provided to help Burmese refugees in Thailand following serious flooding in September 2002. The majority of the 110,000 refugees who are living in camps on the border were affected by the floods. At least 19 deaths were reported and some 500 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. The emergency aid will be used to reconstruct homes, medical centres, sanitation facilities and schools, as well as to provide food for those most in need.

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