Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Highlights

• During the first half of 2018, the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remained critical. According to the inter-agency 2018 DPRK Needs and Priorities document, up to 10.3 million people (41 per cent of total population) continue to suffer from food insecurity and undernutrition, as well as a lack of access to basic services.

Operational Updates

Millions of people are being put at risk as droughts across the world affect food production, and livestock this summer.

Australia is experiencing its worst drought in living memory, with the Red Cross launching an emergency appeal for farmers who have been hit hard in recent weeks. The extreme dry spell has seen rural communities lose cattle and crops, putting livelihoods in jeopardy.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) DREF Operation n° MDRKP010

Beijing/Geneva, 10 August 2018 – A heatwave in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will have serious health consequences for children and elderly people unless urgent action is taken.

Description of the disaster

OVERVIEW

This report compares current humanitarian crises based on their level of humanitarian access. Affected populations in more than 40 countries are not getting proper humanitarian assistance due to access constraints. Out of 44 countries included in the report, nearly half of them are currently facing critical humanitarian access constraints, with four countries (Eritrea, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen) being considered as inaccessible. Moderate humanitarian access constraints are an issue in eight countries, and 15 face low humanitarian access constraints.

Funding Required: $25.41B

Funding Received: $9.39B

Unmet Requirements: $16.02B

Coverage: 37.0%

People in need: 134.0M

People to receive aid: 95.8M

Countries affected: 41

On 6 August 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) adopted its seventh implementation assistance notice, entitled “Guidelines for Obtaining Exemptions to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”.

SEAR/PR/1693

New Delhi, 3 August 2018: In a significant win against childhood killer diseases, two countries of WHO South-East Asia Region, DPR Korea and Timor-Leste, were today verified for eliminating measles, and six countries certified for controlling rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, two years ahead of the target year 2020.

“These achievements demonstrate the commitment and resolve of countries in the Region towards health of women and children, and for universal health coverage”, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.

This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Red Cross Society (DPRK RCS), with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has determined that available information points toward significant humanitarian needs that may require support from the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.

The Situation

Citizens urged to wage all-out battle to preserve food stocks amid ‘unprecedented’ drought

The North Korean government has called on its people to wage an “all-out battle” against a record heatwave as the country’s already fragile crops face drought and the authorities struggle to respond.

Global Overview JULY 2018

Ongoing violence threatens upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Overview

North Korea, Eritrea and Burundi are estimated to have the world's highest rates of modern-day slavery

By Arantxa Underwood

LONDON, July 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - At least 40 million people worldwide are estimated to be trapped in modern slavery today - more than ever before - as poverty, conflict and crises fuel the growing global slave trade.

Ongoing violence threatens upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Executive Summary

Depriving someone of their freedom is a terrible violation. Modern slavery is a destructive, personal crime and an abuse of human rights. It is a widespread and profitable criminal industry but despite this it is largely invisible, in part because it disproportionately affects the most marginalised. This is why measuring this problem is so crucial in exposing and ultimately resolving it. The information contained within the Global Slavery Index is critical in these efforts.

Lord Ahmad publishes Annual Human Rights Report 2017

Minister for Human Rights Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, publishes the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 2017 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report.

Today (16 July) Lord Ahmad, the Minister for Human Rights Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, publishes the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 2017 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report.

SG/SM/19133

Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference, held in New York today:

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

I really thank you very much for your presence.

Tomorrow, the General Assembly is expected to agree on a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, for formal adoption in December in Marrakesh. This action has immense potential to help the world harness the benefits of regular migration while safeguarding against the dangers of irregular movements that place people at risk.