CARE stated that the seriousness of North Korea's humanitarian food crisis had diminished and that it was now time for a shift to rehabilitation efforts. For that reason, CARE will withdraw from the consortium by June 30, 2000. The website statement has provoked remarkably little comment in the press. Absent a response of some sort, CARE's justification appears likely to blend into the folklore about how impossible it is to work effectively in North Korea. But CARE may owe a more careful explanation.
CARE is an important player in the highly symbolic world of development assistance.
Its actions unavoidably affect the decisions of other organizations. Much more will eventually be known about the substantive pros and cons of CARE's action. A detailed GAO report on PVOC activities in North Korea including an evaluation of the management of the seed potato project is now under preparation. However, the report will not be available until some time in June. Presumably, CARE and other PVOC members also will be reporting publicly on their 1999-2000 activities.