UN experts study level of food security in DPRK

PYONGYANG, February 24 (Itar-Tass) -- UN experts who arrived in the
DPRK from Italy, Thailand and a number of other countries are engaged in
studying the level of food security in different regions of the country,
ITAR-TASS learnt at the Pyongyang mission of the UN World Food Programme
(WFP), a press conference, at which international experts will present
their conclusions, is expected to be held in Pyongyang on March 10.
The DPRK leadership applied to the WFP, as well as the Food
Agricultural Organization (FAO) with a request to make a joint analysis of
the food situation in the country. Both organizations agreed to do it, and
their representatives began working on February 10. Their work is to last
30 days.
A similar study was conducted in September-October 2010. A joint
report of the two organizations contained a recommendation to give the
DPRK 305,000 tonnes of international food aid.
In 2010, grain production was expected to increase in the DPRK,
however, extreme weather conditions, including intensive heavy rains which
caused floods, led to the loss of harvest in a number of regions of the
country.