Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian situation in North Korea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3910/07]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The humanitarian situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) remains fragile, particularly in the context of poor food security and environmental degradation.

Despite some improvement in harvests in recent years, the DPRK continues to suffer widespread food shortages. Severe economic problems, particularly in the agriculture sector, and an acute energy crisis mean that cereal production remains well below the minimum required. Overall, the country remains food deficient, with an annual gap of 800,000–1,000,000 tonnes, or 15–20% of the total estimated requirement. The United Nation's Children's Fund, UNICEF, also reports that rates of chronic malnutrition among children in the DPRK remain high and food shortages threaten to undermine progress in the battle against malnutrition.

The country is also prone to natural disasters, such as flooding and drought, which are aggravated by environmental degradation. Flooding in July of last year caused extensive damage to infrastructure, which had a knock-on effect on agricultural production levels. While the DPRK Government continues to accept development assistance, it has instructed all humanitarian agencies to cease their aid activities in the field. Nonetheless, modified programmes of assistance continue, but with minimum expatriate involvement.

Ireland's aid to DPRK has been focused on supporting food security and providing assistance to those affected by flooding. Since 2003, Irish Aid has provided €2 million in humanitarian assistance to the DPRK through key partner agencies such as the UN World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, the Red Cross family and Non-Governmental Organisations, such as Concern. Irish Aid will continue to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people of DPRK, by supporting those partner agencies which are providing targeted assistance there.