In the isolated and often secretive society of North Korea (officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea), requests for aid often come deep into a humanitarian crisis. A limited number of economic, political and social ties often means that the country faces shortages of key medical supplies.

Critical health issues:

• the country periodically faces medical and food shortages as a result of severe flooding of key agricultural areas.

Our Work:

Despite the challenging political context, AmeriCares — in its mission to help people in need irrespective of their race, creed or political persuasion — is committed to helping the people of North Korea, who have suffered from acute food shortages, natural disasters and isolation.

In 1997, AmeriCares responded to humanitarian appeals to aid North Koreans suffering from consecutive years of severe flooding and consequent famine. We delivered three airlifts carrying nutritional supplements, medicines and medical supplies. AmeriCares airlift was the first direct civilian flight from the U.S. to North Korea since before the Korean War.

AmeriCares began sending regular shipments of assistance to support the provision of health services in North Korea in 2000. We deliver medicine and medical supplies in partnership with the Korea-America Private Exchange Society (KAPES). KAPES is an agency responsible for receiving foreign aid delegations and managing ongoing relationships with recipient institutions on the ground in DPRK. Through KAPES, AmeriCares helps to stock empty pharmacy shelves at six hospitals and clinics in the Pyongyang, North Hwanghae and South Pyongyang regions.

As with all our ongoing operations overseas, regular site visits allow us to oversee work in North Korea. We coordinate our assistance with the World Health Organization and other aid agencies and closely observe the United States Bureau of Industry and Security regulations for exports to North Korea.

In 2007, AmeriCares contributed medicines and supplies to a UN-lead effort to provide assistance to victims of severe flooding in the southern half of North Korea. This flooding affected hundreds of thousands and destroyed some of the most productive agricultural land that provides 11% of the country’s crops.

In 2010, after major flooding of more than 36,000 acres of farmland that destroyed thousands of homes and buildings, we responded with an emergency shipment of antibiotics, IV solutions, hygiene items and other medical aid..