Seoul to donate $22 mln to N. Korea through NGOs

By Tony Chang
SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has decided to donate 26 billion won
(US$22.2 million) for humanitarian projects in North Korea via the World Health
Organization (WHO), UNICEF and private aid groups, the Unification Ministry said
Monday.

"The government has decided to deliver 26 billion won from its inter-Korean
cooperation fund to international and private organizations involved in
supporting North Korea's underprivileged people," ministry spokesman Chun
Hae-sung said in a press briefing.
"The latest addition will increase our annual donation to the North's various
support programs to 50 billion won this year."
The spokesman said about 15.2 billion won of the latest donation will be sent to
the WHO for the global health agency's program for malnutritioned children in the
North, while 4.7 billion won will be sent to UNICEF for their separate program
also for children.
Chun also said that some 6 billion won has been allocated for a range of other
projects run by a number of private groups, including provision of medicine,
forestry projects and education for North Koreans in production-related areas.
The ministry has provided support to UNICEF, the WHO and other international
agencies with programs for North Korea since the mid-1990s, including $15.74
million provided in 2008.
"The decision was made in consideration of humanitarian conditions and the
pressing need to provide support for those in need in North Korea," Chun said.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)