Minister O'Donnell approves £100,000 to provide winter clothing for vulnerable groups in North Korea

Warm clothes vital to survival of undernourished North Korean children.

The Minister of State with special responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights, Ms Liz O'Donnell T.D., has approved a grant of £100,000 to provide winter clothing for vulnerable adults and children in North Korea.

"Winter temperatures can fall as low as -20 C in some provinces and shortages of fuel have contributed to dreadful suffering", said Minister O'Donnell, "undernourished children need warm clothes to survive the winter."

"This brings to £815,000 the total funds allocated by the Irish Government since 1996. Much of this has gone towards supplying emergency food aid.

"At my request, my Department is travelling to North Korea this weekend to monitor the impact of Irish assistance and to assess future needs. I am keeping a close eye on the humanitarian needs of these people." Top