UN official says N Korea needs food, medicine, clean water

TOKYO: About 20% of North Korean children are stunted because of malnutrition, and half the children in rural areas are drinking unsafe water, a senior UN official visiting the country said.

Much progress has been made compared to 20 years ago but “significant humanitarian challenges” remain, Mark Lowcock, the undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, said on Wednesday at a news conference in Pyongyang. The U.N. issued a transcript of his remarks.

The United Nations is trying to raise $111 million to meet health, water and sanitation and food security needs for about 6 million people in North Korea. Only 10% has been raised so far, Lowrock said, through donations from the Swedish, Swiss and Canadian governments.

The proportion of children affected by stunting and cognitively, has fallen to 20% from 28% in 2011, but that “is still a high number,” he said. “Too much of the water is contaminated, which is a cause of disease and threatens the development of too many children,” he said.

Besides malnutrition and water, Lowrock also highlighted a shortage of drugs and medical supplies and equipment. One hospital he visited this week had only enough drugs for 40 of its 140 tuberculosis patients, creating dilemmas for doctors who have to figure out what to do, he said.