According to a recent UN humanitarian report, over two-thirds of the population in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is affected by a humanitarian crisis worsened by natural disasters and political tensions. More than 18 million people in North Korea lack access to food security and basic services. The report states that $114 million is needed to provide crucial humanitarian needs.
The crisis in DPRK has been largely overlooked and ignored despite some efforts by the international community to provide humanitarian aid. Six UN agencies and seven NGOs are among several partner agencies collaborating on relief efforts, but they lack the necessary funding to provide nationwide assistance. The report also notes that international sanctions enacted on DPRK have indirectly affected the current humanitarian situation. Efforts have been hindered by blocked funding, limited donations, and difficulties in transporting and delivering aid supplies to vulnerable populations. The adverse effects of the sanctions reveal some of the problems of global governance, leading us to wonder – are the sanctions doing more harm than good? They seem to be, at least from a humanitarian standpoint.