Severe drought, typhoons, poor infrastructure and economic problems mean that the DPRK is struggling in the face of a seventh consecutive year of food shortages. Moreover, winter this year was particularly harsh with two weeks in January being recorded as the coldest since 1949.
People continue to suffer and to rely on assistance provided by the international community.
Structural problems are increasing with little government input into maintenance of buildings, roads, vehicles, water facilities etc. The relationship between Caritas and the FDRC has developed positively over recent years and information for programming and access to beneficiaries is improving steadily. A learning process has taken place and there is more openness to wider dialogue. This, they said, would also be the case in future should South Korean priests visit. I expressed the point of view that while, on one hand, it was encouraging to see South Korean priests visiting, on the other hand, it was disappointing that the international community would be shut out.