HC Deb 30 October 2001 vol 373 cc580-1W
Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department made to the World Food Programme and other agencies for famine relief and food distribution in North Korea in the last financial year. [9816]

Hilary Benn

The Department for International Development did not make any contribution to the World Food Programme (WFP) for North Korea in the last financial year. However we did provide a total of £500,000 towards famine relief and related activities in North Korea. This included £200.000 through World Vision for restoring the food production capacity of six co-operative farms under the United Nations Development Programme's Agricultural Recovery and Environmental Protection Programme. We also allocated £300,000 directly to UNDP in support of two parts of AREP.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are taken by the World Food Programme and other multilateral agencies that distribute famine relief in North Korea to ensure that the food is consumed by those for whom it is intended. [9817]

Hilary Benn

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the only multilateral agency involved in the distribution of food aid in North Korea, apart from a small input through UNICEF. WFP's food aid programme is targeted at vulnerable groups including children under five, primary and secondary school children, orphans and children in other health institutions, pregnant women and the elderly. WFP work only in provinces to which they have access (currently 167 out of a total of 211). This is essential for carrying out assessments of need, and to undertake monitoring. WFP run an intensive programme of monitoring visits to beneficiaries.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are taken to monitor the distribution of food for famine relief by the agencies responsible in North Korea. [9819]

Hilary Benn

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the lead UN Agency for food relief distribution within North Korea. WFP works with the Food Aid Liaison Unit within the Government's Public Distribution System which co-ordinates the work of non-governmental organisations involved in the sector. This includes the monitoring of food aid through these agencies. WFP monitors food both on its arrival in North Korea and at distribution points. The programme averages 300 monitoring visits per month.