The World Food Program and Food and Agriculture Organization have launched a joint assessment of North Korea’s food needs as the reclusive country expects a poor spring harvest because of extreme winter weather.
North Korea has informed the WFP that it would need more food aid because of the severe winter, WFP spokesperson Bettina Luescher said.
Meantime, U.S. Rep. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) has warned the Obama administration to be cautious in considering the resumption of food aid to North Korea. Lugar, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the Obama administration is reviewing a request for food assistance filed by North Korea, the Canadian Press says.
There have been reports that North Korea has requested for food aid from the United States. U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said he could not confirm this but noted that the United States is in regular discussion with North Korea.
The U.S. Department of State has said there are currently no plans to resume its assistance to North Korea, as Devex reported.
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