[imText1]It appears that the government’s relief for North Korea’s flood disaster will reach 100,000 tons of rice.
Han Wan Sang, President of the Korean Red Cross Society appeared on a KBS radio program on the 14th saying that “These days, humanitarian aid is only effective if sponsored on a large scale.” He revealed “Rice relief to support the food crisis in North Korea as a result of the flood is estimated to reach 100,000 tons.”
President Han said “We will send our thoughts to the North Korean Red Cross on the 14th so that the South and North Korean Red Cross meeting can be held in the near future. At the meeting, specific details on the time, articles and amount of aid support will be discussed.”
Further, he revealed “Private organizations have already collected about 9,800 mn won (US $10.1mn) and the government has agreed to donate 10,000 mn won (US $10.3mn) At minimum 20,000 mn (US $20.4mn) will be donated to North Korea. In addition to the current funds, the government and the Red Cross have conferred to aid North Korea on a much larger scale.”
In regards to the amount of North Korea aid which will shortly surpass 500,000 mn won (US $51.8mn), President Han explained “It is likely that the figure will rise substantially.
On meeting with the Unification Minister Lee Jong Suk last week, he said that the amount of rice aid for the North Korea food crisis estimated by the World Food Program (WFP) is 30,000 ~ 100,000 tons.”
President Han revealed “At the recent 6.15 Mutual Declaration Committee, North Korea officially requested for aid support. North Korea appealed for resources for construction such as cement and steel in addition to freights, cars, food, blankets and medical supplies.”
He emphasized “Rice and fertilizer aid was delayed because of the missiles and political issues. This time, there is plenty of reason to support North Korea based only on humanitarianism.”
However, President Han did not mention anything on the blatant issue of North Korea aid stressed by international bodies.
