North Korea needs food, medicine, clean water: UN

Published: July 12, 2018 11:36:27 | Updated: July 12, 2018 18:04:55

North Korean child stands with a shovel in shrivelled corn field in a disaster-hit part of the country - Reuters photo used for representation

A senior UN official visiting North Korea is highlighting malnutrition, drinking water and a shortage of medicines as problems facing the country.

Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock told a news conference in Pyongyang on Wednesday that much progress has been made in the last 20 years but “significant humanitarian challenges” remain. The UN released a transcript of his remarks.

Lowcock said about 20 percent of children are stunted because of malnutrition, and about half the children in rural areas are drinking contaminated water.

He said a shortage of drugs and medical supplies and equipment is making it very difficult to treat people.

The UN is trying to raise $111 million for North Korea. Lowrock said only 10 percent has been raised so far, from Sweden, Switzerland and Canada.