Trócaire representatives Niamh O' Carroll and Mary Healy are to visit North Korea to assess the nature of the crisis there and to monitor the distribution of Trócaire's aid to the region. Recently, Trócaire allocated =A350,000 (13 metric tonnes) worth of high energy biscuits and =A371,000 (150 metric tonnes) worth of palm oil to be sent for distribution to the worst affected areas. This follows their earlier allocations of 3750 tonnes of rice and maize to the region. All food sent by Trócaire is monitored on a day to day basis by the World Food Programme. The two representatives plan to spend a week in the country. Trócaire is one of the few development agencies that has been given access to the region.
Since the last visit by Trócaire, the situation in the region has drastically deteriorated. In a cruel irony, having suffered food shortages as a result of two years of flooding, the country now faces drought following 60 days without rain. Reservoirs are reported as empty and crops devastated. The grain harvest is believed to be particularly badly affected. Amongst Ms. O' Carroll's and Mary Healy's objectives in North Korea will be to visit some of the worst affected areas, assess how the drought is affecting the population and examine the need for further aid. In June, Trócaire set up an appeal to raise money to alleviate the suffering in North Korea. Initially hoping to raise =A3500,000 the appeal succeeded in doubling the figure. Mr. Kilcullen said that "The appeal has greatly surpassed our expectations and I would like to sincerely thank all of those who contributed. However, reports indicate that tragically the situation is getting worse and I would appeal for people to keep contributing."

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