Report of the Third International NGO Conference
On Humanitarian Assistance to North Korea:
Cooperative Efforts beyond Food Aid

The third International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
Conference on Humanitarian Assistance to North Korea was held
in Yong In, Republic of Korea (ROK), from 17th to 20th June
2001. Attending the meeting were 47 delegates from 14
countries in addition to 120 participants from South Korea.
Taking part were representatives of NGOs, United Nations
agencies, and the Governments of South Korea, the
Netherlands, New Zealand and Canada.
During the opening ceremony, the conference heard a special
address by ROK Minister of Unification Dong-Won Lim, who
underlined the continued efforts for the easing of tensions
and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
Discussed at the conference were new developments in
humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Peoples Republic of
Korea (DPRK) since the inter-Korean summit, assistance in the
fields of agriculture, forestry, food and medicine,
cooperation among NGOs, UN agencies, Government and business,
as well as an exploration of new roles and strategies for
NGOs.
Following a tradition which began in Beijing in 1999, and
continued in Tokyo in 2000, the third international NGO
conference meeting in Yong In has continued the strong sense
of community developed among NGOs of different nationalities
who share one goal, namely the good of the people of the
DPRK.

Present situation:

The humanitarian crisis is NOT over in the DPRK. Chronic food
shortages continue after a disappointing harvest in 2000, and
threaten to become even worse with the current drought
conditions. Malnutrition is a long-standing problem affecting
children and women, with far-reaching consequences. Lack of
fertilizer and other inputs put stress on agriculture.
Deforestation, insufficient energy supplies and inadequate
transport also frustrate recovery efforts. The health,
medical, water and sanitation sectors suffer from decay and
lack of sustainable rehabilitation.
There is therefore a continued need for humanitarian
assistance, although improvements in the overall situation
have been noted.
Some positive changes have been observed since the June 2000
North-South summit. There is now increased access for South
Korean NGOs, and DPRK authorities have shown some capacity
for adjustment, even if the pace has been slow. NGOs have
undertaken modest developmental projects, with some degree of
success.

Future directions:

The conference underlined that there is a continuing need for
the whole humanitarian community to support the North Korean
peoples right to adequate food, shelter, health care, and
clean water.
People also have a right to development. In addition to
tackling the immediate humanitarian problems, the conference
had a strong sense that underlying determinants need to be
addressed. In order to provide long-term food security, there
is a need to go beyond food aid and agricultural
rehabilitation, to deal with the energy crisis, to
rehabilitate infrastructure, and to revitalize industry, with
a special emphasis on human resource development.
NGOs share a commitment to continue efforts to assist the
people of the DPR Korea. At the same time, in dealing with
DPRK Government counterparts, they look forward to more
openness, more access, more transparency and more
accountability. This is necessary if NGOs are to enhance
project effectiveness and convince donors to continue and
increase the flow of resources.

Recommendations and conclusions:

The conference strongly endorsed the continuing engagement
policy and substantial humanitarian assistance provided by
the ROK Government. By the same token, it encouraged the
South Korean Government to cooperate more fully with NGOs in
support of civil society efforts.
The European Unions efforts in providing continued support to
humanitarian assistance and to promote dialogue are
appreciated and should be continued.
While the conference welcomed the Japanese and US Governments
initiatives to send food aid this year, there is still an
urgent need for the two Governments to continue this aid, as
the situation has deteriorated due to drought. Moreover, the
USA and Japan should move beyond food aid to more development-
oriented assistance.
The conference urges the Japanese Government to recognize the
important role of NGOs and to support NGO channels for its
humanitarian assistance.
The conference encouraged cooperative programmes among NGOs.
This is particularly important for South Korean NGOs, who do
not share the same access in DPRK as do international NGOs.
Cooperation among South Korean NGOs, international NGOs and
the UN system should be explored.
The conference underlined that the diversity of approaches
taken by NGOs complement one anothers work and help to deal
more comprehensively with the complex problems encountered in
providing aid.
There is a need to strengthen capacity-building, both of NGOs
and other aid agencies, as well as DPRK counterparts.
Educational opportunities and exchange visits should be
provided as possible.
The South Korean participants have pledged to develop a code
of conduct consistent with international standards for NGOs
working for humanitarian assistance in the DPRK.
In light of the above, a credible coordination mechanism
needs to be established
The conference called for greater involvement of the
corporate sector in assisting efforts to meet the
humanitarian and development needs of the North Korean people
and for responsible investment in the DPRK.
The participants of the conference expressed strong feelings
of friendship and common purpose across national boundaries.
They believe that a strengthened cooperation among NGOs and a
commitment to work together would enhance each organizations
capacities. To this end they pledge to enhance the sharing of
information.
The fourth international NGO conference will take place in
the year 2002 at a venue to be decided. The conference heard
strong expressions of the need to work in partnership with
the North Korean people. DPRK participation at that occasion
would therefore be highly welcomed.

20 June 2001