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NORTHEAST ASIA PEACE AND SECURITY NETWORK
***** SPECIAL REPORT *****
JUNE 26, 2001
The following is report of the Third International NGO Conference on Humanitarian Assistance to North Korea. The conference discussed new developments in humanitarian assistance to the North Korea since the inter-Korean summit, assistance in the fields of agriculture, forestry, food and medicine, cooperation among NGOs, UN agencies, Government and business, as well as an exploration of new roles and strategies for NGOs.
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REPORT OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL NGO CONFERENCE ON HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO NORTH KOREA: COOPERATIVE EFFORTS BEYOND FOOD AID
June 20, 2001. The third International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Conference on Humanitarian Assistance to North Korea was held in Yong In, Republic of Korea (ROK), from 17th to 20th June 2001. Attending the meeting were 47 delegates from 14 countries in addition to 120 participants from South Korea. Taking part were representatives of NGOs, United Nations agencies, and the Governments of South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Canada. During the opening ceremony, the conference heard a special address by ROK Minister of Unification Dong-Won Lim, who underlined the continued efforts for the easing of tensions and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
Discussed at the conference were new developments in humanitarian assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since the inter-Korean summit, assistance in the fields of agriculture, forestry, food and medicine, cooperation among NGOs, UN agencies, Government and business, as well as an exploration of new roles and strategies for NGOs. Following a tradition which began in Beijing in 1999, and
continued in Tokyo in 2000, the third international NGO conference meeting in Yong In has continued the strong sense of community developed among NGOs of different nationalities who share one goal, namely the good of the people of the DPRK.
PRESENT SITUATION:
The humanitarian crisis is NOT over in the DPRK. Chronic food shortages continue after a disappointing harvest in 2000, and threaten to become even worse with the current drought conditions. Malnutrition is a long-standing problem affecting children and women, with far-reaching consequences. Lack of fertilizer and other inputs put stress on agriculture. Deforestation, insufficient energy supplies and inadequate transport also frustrate recovery efforts. The health, medical, water and sanitation sectors suffer from decay and lack of sustainable rehabilitation.
There is therefore a continued need for humanitarian assistance, although improvements in the overall situation have been noted. Some positive changes have been observed since the June 2000 North-South summit. There is now increased access for South Korean NGOs, and DPRK authorities have shown some capacity for adjustment, even if the pace has been slow. NGOs have undertaken modest developmental projects, with some degree of success.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS:
The conference underlined that there is a continuing need for the whole humanitarian community to support the North Korean people's right to adequate food, shelter, health care, and clean water. People also have a right to development. In addition to tackling the immediate humanitarian problems, the conference had a strong sense that underlying determinants need to be addressed. In order to provide long-term food security, there is a need to go beyond food aid and agricultural rehabilitation, to deal with the energy crisis, to rehabilitate infrastructure, and to revitalize industry, with a special emphasis on human resource development. NGOs share a commitment to continue efforts to assist the people of the DPR Korea. At the same time, in dealing with DPRK Government counterparts, they look forward to more openness, more access, more transparency and more accountability. This is necessary if NGOs are to enhance project effectiveness and convince donors to continue and increase the flow of resources.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The conference strongly endorsed the continuing engagement policy and substantial humanitarian assistance provided by the ROK Government. By the same token, it encouraged the South Korean Government to cooperate more fully with NGOs in support of civil society efforts. The European Union's efforts in providing continued support to humanitarian assistance and to promote dialogue are appreciated and should be continued. While the conference welcomed the Japanese and US Governments' initiatives to send food aid this year, there is still an urgent need for the two Governments to continue this aid, as the situation has deteriorated due to drought. Moreover, the USA and Japan should move beyond food aid to more development-oriented assistance. The conference urges the Japanese
Government to recognize the important role of NGOs and to support NGO channels for its humanitarian assistance. The conference encouraged cooperative programs among NGOs.
This is particularly important for South Korean NGOs, who do not share the same access in DPRK as do international NGOs. Cooperation among South Korean NGOs, international NGOs and the UN system should be explored. The conference underlined that the diversity of approaches taken by NGOs complement one another's work and help to deal more comprehensively with the complex problems encountered in providing aid. There is a need to strengthen capacity-building, both of NGOs and other aid agencies, as well as DPRK counterparts. Educational opportunities and exchange visits should be provided as possible.
The South Korean participants have pledged to develop a code of conduct consistent with international standards for NGOs working for humanitarian assistance in the DPRK. In light of the above, a credible coordination mechanism needs to be established The conference called for greater involvement of the corporate sector in assisting efforts to meet the humanitarian and development needs of the North Korean people and for responsible investment in the DPRK.
The participants of the conference expressed strong feelings of friendship and common purpose across national boundaries. They believe that a strengthened cooperation among NGOs and a commitment to work together would enhance each organization's capacities. To this end they pledge to enhance the sharing of
information.
The fourth international NGO conference will take place in the year 2002 at a venue to be decided. The conference heard strong expressions of the need to work in partnership with the North Korean people. DPRK participation at that occasion would therefore be highly welcomed.