(a) There are reportedly more fertilisers available this year. Agricultural experts working on the ground
report that the soil is relatively moist and there is still sufficient water for irrigation. Generally, the
outlook for the first crops to be harvested in late June is much better than at this time last year. As the
Public Distribution System (PDS) will run out of supplies in late May, these crops are vital, especially
for the people who do not benefit from WFP food.
(b) During April, the US confirmed a contribution of 96,000 tons, valued at USD 40 million. This
contribution, combined with earlier generous contributions from Japan and Republic of Korea means
that the WFP pipeline is now secure through the third quarter of 2001. Although Norway announced a
contribution in support of the local food production component of the Special Operation (SO). the SO
remains seriously under-funded (USD 9.3 million still unresourced). This means that it will be difficult to
sustain the important non-food component of food-for-work and local food production activities or
continue port operations support.
(c) WFP food-for-work projects are being scaled down until the end of the next harvest in September so
that they do not interfere with agricultural production. Some projects will be considered during the
summer agricultural period but will be confined to areas that are most likely to be affected by tropical
storms and flooding. So far in 2001, WFP has approved 186 food-for- work projects and allocated
89,000 tons of cereals. Another 16 projects were approved in December 2000 with implementation
carrying on into 2001, bringing the total number of projects to 202. Overall quality of the projects has
improved and the participation of women - both in selection and design of projects - has increased.
(d) During April, local food production assisted by WFP amounted to 2,508 tons (374 tons more than in
March), corresponding to approximately 86 percent of planned output. An opening ceremony for the
new corn soya blend facility was held in the East Coast city of Hamhung on 3 April. This is the 11th
facility to open in DPRK. Five noodle factories are expected to be installed in May, in Pyongyang,
Sinuiju, Wonsan, Chongjin and Hamhung. All local food production projects are implemented in
co-operation with UNICEF.
(e) During the first part of 2001, WFP has been carrying out a review of its monitoring and evaluation
system, in line with recommendations made by the external evaluation mission undertaken in 2000. A
joint workshop with WFP counterparts, the FDRC, will be held in early May to review progress, with a
view to implementing the new system in June.
(f) WFP continues to provide staffing, administrative and logistics support to the Food Aid Liaison Unit
(FALU) which implements food assistance programmes for non-resident NGOs including Caritas, the
Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Action by Churches Together. On 5 April FALU, in conjunction with
WFP, held a workshop on "Nutritional Requirements of Pregnant and Nursing Women" in Kangwon
Province. Participants included health professionals and FDRC officials from the provincial level based
in Wonsan.
