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Strengthening Household Food Security Stressed by Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Containment Measures in DPR Korea - TCP/DRK/3804

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 8

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Synopsis (short abstract) The COVID-19 outbreak added uncertainty and vulnerability to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s already fragile food security. In addition to recurring droughts and floods, it created a new, unprecedented stress, disrupting economic and livelihood activities critical to the food supply chain's sustainability. With an estimated milled food deficit of 374 246 tonnes in 2020, anticipated disruptions in the agricultural supply chain caused by anti-epidemic measures such as border closures, quarantines and restrictions on the movement of people and cargo, had the potential to significantly worsen the cropping season and, as a result, disrupt food systems. The Government of the DPRK took early measures to prevent the disease from spreading within the country, closing its border and suspending transport and economic links with China, which accounts for three-quarters of the country’s external trade. In light of new local outbreaks in China, the reopening of the border with China remained uncertain, impeding timely importation of seeds and fertilizer, thereby jeopardizing the planting season. In this context, FAO assisted the Government in helping farmers and vulnerable farming communities to reinforce their resilience to the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on promoting food safety and increasing crop and livestock production.

Language English

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