UN Envoy heading to DPR of Korea for talks on relief aid

New York, Mar 17 2003 2:00PM - A top envoy for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is heading to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) this week to discuss with authorities there progress on the UN's emergency appeal for humanitarian aid to the country.
Maurice Strong is scheduled to be in the DPRK from 18 to 22 March, and will also share with the Government the results of his intensive meetings and consultations on other issues of mutual interest and concern, a UN spokesman said.

Meanwhile on 14 March, the Republic of Korea wrote to the Secretary-General in response to his personal appeal for the DPRK.

In the letter, Seoul announced contributions of 100,000 tons of food to the World Food Programme (WFP), $700,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) for the prevention of malaria outbreak and $500,000 to the UN Children's Fund UNICEF to help children and other vulnerable groups.

"The Secretary-General has written to President Roh Moo-hyun to thank him for his generous contribution, which will allow UN agencies to continue to provide life-saving assistance to North Koreans," spokesman Fred Eckhard said.