DPRK Consensus statement

March 2001
United Nations agencies, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies (hereafter 'agencies') working in DPR Korea are aware of recent allegations regarding humanitarian programming in the country.

1. The focus of the work of the agencies in DPR Korea is on mitigating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country through programmes which address the immediate food, health, water and sanitation and educational needs. At the same time programmes attempt to look to the future and assist DPR Korea in longer-term economic and social sustainability through small-scale capacity building programmes and other forms of intermediate assistance including programmes falling within the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Environmental Protection Programme (AREP).

2. Progress has been made since the 1998 and 1999 Consensus Statements (attached) that acknowledged the complex operating conditions that apply to DPR Korea. While restrictions apply that limit the full implementation of the humanitarian programme, these are not new problems and are ones that the agencies formulated the Humanitarian Principles for DPR Korea in 1998 (attached) to address. These are brought to the attention of the Government regularly.

3. Twelve more counties can be accessed now compared with 1998, and consequently a greater proportion of the population reached, although an improvement in the quality of access is sought. More monitoring trips are taking place and more beneficiaries are visited in their homes. There has been some improvement in access to information for programming, as well as closer interaction with Government and a better understanding of working modalities and expectations. Two new NGOs have arrived, one of which will support activities for the handicapped, a new sector for the international humanitarian programme.

4. While progress is slow, agencies wish to renew their commitment to the 1998 and 1999 Consensus Statements. We are convinced that our engagement, maintenance of an in-country presence and an adherence to the Humanitarian Principles have been positive factors in improving the situation for the people of DPR Korea and that this approach continues to be the best way to proceed. In particular the humanitarian and rehabilitation programmes implemented in the country during the last five years have, without doubt, achieved positive results for people in much of the country. However, more remains to be done in order for operating conditions to be considered satisfactory, especially if programme assistance is to move towards sustainable rehabilitation and development.

5. Agencies also firmly believe that engagement by development donors is now a prerequisite for a sustainable improvement in conditions for the population, and thus continue to urge development donors to engage with DPR Korea.

Statement endorsed by:

Dated: 30 March 2001
Pyongyang,
Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea

The organisations providing assistance to DPR Korea and who have participated in the formulation of the Consolidated Appeals for 1999, 2000 AND 2001, have agreed to support the following humanitarian principles in order to ensure the successful implementation of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan.

All organizations providing humanitarian assistance to the DPRK are urged to similarly support these principles:

1. Knowledge about the overall humanitarian situation in the country according to assessed needs;

2. Assurance that humanitarian assistance reaches sectors of the population in greatest need;

3. Access for assessment, monitoring and evaluation;

4. Distribution of assistance only to areas where access is granted;

5. Protection of the humanitarian interests of the population;

6. Support to local capacity building;

7. Beneficiary participation in programme planning and implementation;

8. Adequate capacity in terms of international staff;

9. Meet the health and safety needs of the international humanitarian organizations.

Dated: 25 November, 1998 (Updated 21 April 1999 and 14 March 2001)
Pyongyang
Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The representatives of NGOs, UN agencies and donor agencies operating in the DPRK are in agreement that effective, accountable humanitarian assistance is still required in the country.

Our view is that whilst international assistance has already had a considerable positive impact on the crisis in the DPRK, severe difficulties still exist in the food, nutrition, health, water and agricultural sectors.

Whilst assisting the DPRK to address such problems, at the same time striving to promote and ensure humanitarian principles and accountability, a common and balanced approach from the UN, donors, and from NGOs, is required.

We are well aware of the constraints and difficulties of operating in the DPRK. We believe that only with a continued presence and constructive engagement here will be able to work towards the position of providing accountable assistance. We remain committed to working towards these objectives.

Dated 25 November, 1998 (Updated 21 April 1999 and 14 March 2001)
Pyongyang
Democratic People's Republic of Korea

There is unanimous agreement among UN agencies, NGOs and donor agencies operating in the DPRK that in spite of progress in certain areas during the past two years the humanitarian crisis in the DPRK is still ongoing, with particular areas and segments of the population experiencing greater difficulties than others. Malnutrition, safe water, adequate sanitation and public health in general remain serious problems to be addressed. Programmes in these areas continue to suffer from difficult operating conditions that limit and constrain implementation, accountability, verification and access to the most vulnerable.

Agencies are concerned about these restrictive conditions. They have led to Oxfam's regrettable decision to withdraw from the DPRK, and present a hindrance to the promotion of humanitarian principles, and verification of humanitarian assistance. We believe that only with adherence to these operating principles will we be able to work towards helping those in greatest need with accountable assistance, and we remain committed to these objectives.

Dated 11 December 1999 (Updated 14 March 2001)
Pyongyang
Democratic People's Republic of Korea