The SDC is supporting North Korea in its efforts to exploit sloping lands for agricultural purposes and to protect them against erosion. It promotes the health of the population by providing better access to clean drinking water and sanitation. It also distributes milk powder through the United Nations World Food Programme.
The SDC's activity in North Korea began in 1995 when it provided humanitarian aid for the population affected by the famine of the 1990s. In 1997 the SDC opened an office in Pyongyang which increasingly became involved in implementing development projects. Since the beginning of 2012 the SDC has been carrying out a purely humanitarian programme in North Korea. The aim is to improve food and income security, water supplies, waste water management and protection of the environment.
Agricultural use of sloping land and protection against erosion
Food shortages have forced farmers to make use of very steep sloping land. This has led to deforestation and erosion, thus increasing the risk of natural disasters.Since 2005 the SDC, in cooperation with local partners, has promoted the sustainable production of rice, potatoes, wheat and berries on sloping land. Moreover this land has been protected against erosion by planting fruit trees and grass ledges on the slopes.
Improved health thanks to clean drinking water and sanitation
Poorly maintained water supplies and the lack of sanitary installations are the causes of many diseases. Diarrhoea and related illnesses are widespread in North Korea. Those affected suffer from the loss of valuable vitamins and calories.
Clean drinking water improves food security, reduces child mortality, combats poverty and contributes generally to better health for people in North Korea.
A programme launched by the SDC in 2012 promotes access to clean drinking water and to functioning sanitary installations by:
renewing source water basins and water pipelines
opening water kiosks for local residents
re-drafting guidelines on the use of drinking water together with UNICEF and the Ministry of Water
Switzerland delivers milk powder to the United Nations World Food Programme in North Korea since 1995. Local production units process the milk powder together with rice and maize, cereals and soya to create food that is rich in proteins and vitamins. About the structures of the World Food Programme and the North Korean government, annually 1.3 million children as well as pregnant and lactating mothers are guaranteed one balanced meal a day.
The intervention works on the nexus of DRR, food security and agroforestry and successor programme of the Sloping Land Management programme (SLM). Building on SLM, food security remains central, but DRR is the principle concern of the domain of intervention. Combining food security and DRR increases the scope to work holistically towards sustaining the resources on which livelihoods depend. The emphasis on sustainable food production addresses the humanitarian needs of communities. Coupling this with a focus on community action serves to enlarge the scope for groups and individuals to act more autonomously.
The intervention focuses on the basic humanitarian need of access to WASH services through raising hygiene awareness, construction of WASH facilities and capacity building in rural areas. Providing sustainable access to WASH services shall improve the health of 40'000 beneficiairies through access to robust infrastructure, safe sanitation and protection of water sources that will also reduce exposure of rural communities to natural hazards.
Through the usage of food aid in the form of Swiss dairy products, Swiss Humanitarian Aid contributes to the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, undernourishment, and disease. The SDC’s Humanitarian Aid administers the credit granted by parliament for a yearly amount of some CHF 20 million destined for the purchase of Swiss dairy products and their use for the benefit of the needy. Its task is to ensure a sustainable, targeted, and closely monitored food aid.
Through the usage of food aid in the form of Swiss dairy products, Swiss Humanitarian Aid contributes to the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, undernourishment, and disease. The SDC’s Humanitarian Aid administers the credit granted by parliament for a yearly amount of some CHF 20 million destined for the purchase of Swiss dairy products and their use for the benefit of the needy. Its task is to ensure a sustainable, targeted, and closely monitored food aid.
Food aid is a means of tackling undernutrition and malnutrition. With food aid, SDC – through Swiss Humanitarian Aid – puts the humanitarian mission to "save lives and alleviate suffering" into practice.
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