DPRK Transitional ICSP (January - December 2018)

T-ICSP approved in July 2017.

The humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has improved slightly in recent years, but it remains fragile and the causes of vulnerability persist due to chronic food insecurity and recurring natural disasters. As a result of the restrictions on international trade and investment under the United Nations Security Council sanctions, food security outlook is negatively affecting the population.

Providing an adequate well-balanced diet for the population of 24.8 million is the central element of the country’s development strategy. But, over 18 million people do not have sufficiently diversified diet. The 2012 national nutrition survey showed that chronic malnutrition among children had fallen from 32.4 percent to 27.9 percent since 2009, but indicated a rapid increase in stunting among children under three years. Among children under five years, 28 percent suffer from chronic malnutrition and four percent from acute malnutrition; the lack of dietary diversity in the average household has not changed over the past five years.

In addition, the effects of natural hazards are exacerbated by deforestation and weak infrastructure; building community resilience through disaster preparedness, mitigation and response is a government priority, but a challenge.

World Food Programme (WFP) will continue to support the Government through the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation 200907 (1 July 2016 - 31 December 2018) in addressing chronic and acute malnutrition among children and pregnant and lactating women, and helping men and women become more resilient to natural disasters in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2 and World Food Programme’s Strategic Objective 2 under World Food Programme’s Strategic Plan (2017-2021). The transitional interim country strategic plan (1 January - 31 December 2018) supports the first strategic priority – food and nutrition security – of the United Nations Strategic Framework 2017–2021 for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

World Food Programme’s engagement in the country in 2018 will support the country in ending hunger and reducing malnutrition by 2030 through three strategic outcomes: i) improve children and pregnant and lactating women’s nutrition status in the targeted areas by reducing micronutrient deficiencies through increased consumption of quality and nutrient-dense food; ii) reduce risks and enhance food security and resilience to the vulnerable people in the disaster prone areas; and iii) improve access to food to the crisis affected people all year round.

A Letter of Understanding between the Government and World Food Programme is expected to provide favourable operating conditions. World Food Programme will continue key partnerships with the Government, United Nations agencies and European Union Units including with Rome-based agencies, and coordination efforts to successful implement the transitional interim country strategic plan.