This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8128528.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
North Korean food need 'critical' North Korean food need 'critical'
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea is facing a "critical" food shortage, especially for children, the UN's food agency has said.North Korea is facing a "critical" food shortage, especially for children, the UN's food agency has said.
The World Food Programme's director for North Korea said the agency was unable to reach millions of North Koreans due to a shortfall in funding.The World Food Programme's director for North Korea said the agency was unable to reach millions of North Koreans due to a shortfall in funding.
The director, Torben Due, said the WFP had received no new donations for North Korea since Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test in May.The director, Torben Due, said the WFP had received no new donations for North Korea since Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test in May.
He also said Pyongyang had barred the WFP from using Korean-speaking staff.He also said Pyongyang had barred the WFP from using Korean-speaking staff.
North Korea had given no reason for that decision, he added.North Korea had given no reason for that decision, he added.
Mr Due told reporters in Beijing that the WFP had received only 15% of an international appeal for $504m (£306m) and had to cut back plans to provide food aid to 6.2 million North Koreans to 2.27 million.Mr Due told reporters in Beijing that the WFP had received only 15% of an international appeal for $504m (£306m) and had to cut back plans to provide food aid to 6.2 million North Koreans to 2.27 million.
Vicious cycle Vicious circle
North Korea has relied on food aid from China, South Korea and aid agencies to feed millions of its people since a famine in the 1990s resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands.North Korea has relied on food aid from China, South Korea and aid agencies to feed millions of its people since a famine in the 1990s resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands.
Recent flooding and the suspension of South Korean fertiliser aid shipments have hindered food production.Recent flooding and the suspension of South Korean fertiliser aid shipments have hindered food production.
Being a humanitarian organisation you should look at the needs of the people Torben Due, WFP Is North Korea facing famine?Being a humanitarian organisation you should look at the needs of the people Torben Due, WFP Is North Korea facing famine?
"We are now in the middle of the lean season in North Korea, where food supplies are low and it's a very difficult situation for many people in the country," Mr Due said."We are now in the middle of the lean season in North Korea, where food supplies are low and it's a very difficult situation for many people in the country," Mr Due said.
Children were particularly at risk, he said.Children were particularly at risk, he said.
"For children it is critical, and it means they do not have the nutrition required for growth," Mr Due said."For children it is critical, and it means they do not have the nutrition required for growth," Mr Due said.
"We see an increase in the number of children being admitted to hospitals with severe malnutrition," he said."We see an increase in the number of children being admitted to hospitals with severe malnutrition," he said.
He described a vicious cycle in which malnourished children were growing up stunted with weakened immune systems and then giving birth to children with poor health. He described a vicious circle in which malnourished children were growing up stunted with weakened immune systems and then giving birth to children with poor health.
The WFP's North Korea appeal had received no contributions since Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test on 25 May, he said.The WFP's North Korea appeal had received no contributions since Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test on 25 May, he said.
"I understand to a certain extent why donors are questioning," he said."I understand to a certain extent why donors are questioning," he said.
"But my angle is as a humanitarian. Being a humanitarian organisation you should look at the needs of the people.""But my angle is as a humanitarian. Being a humanitarian organisation you should look at the needs of the people."
Mr Due said the WFP was now only allowed to operate in 57 counties within North Korea, instead of the previous 131.Mr Due said the WFP was now only allowed to operate in 57 counties within North Korea, instead of the previous 131.