EU humanitarian aid for North Korea

The European Commission has approved a decision to make €5.55 million available for groups of people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This will be allocated via ECHO, the European Commission Humanitarian Office, to the EU's partner Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). The decision will benefit just under 250 000 people; the money will be used in the coming months to repair or construct water and sewerage systems. In 2001 ECHO allocated €3.36 million for vulnerable populations in the DPRK.

The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of the clean water distribution network serving local populations and rural communities in five of the country's provinces. It includes repairing wells, disinfecting drinking water, building toilet and washing facilities and providing health training. The NGOs carrying out the project will be working in difficult conditions, particularly where humanitarian standards and access to people is concerned. The fact that the project is going ahead reflects the progress made in these matters since 2001.

| Arriba |

• EU humanitarian aid for Vietnam, China, North Korea and Cambodia (20/11/2001)