YONHAP NEWS

NK relief donations differ in meeting targeted amount

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- International contributions for emergency flood relief in North Korea have successfully reached the targeted amount, but those for other recovery efforts have barely met the half-way mark, according to an update Friday by the U.N. World Food Program (WFP).

   The WFP received 99.3 percent of some US$5 million it sought for emergency assistance to flood-affected areas in North Korea, a project that began in August. Australia was the largest donor, accounting for 31 percent of the total. England's contribution accounted for 20 percent.

   Other major donors included the European Union, the United Nations, Canada and Finland.

   But the other ongoing donation drive, the protracted relief and recovery operation, began in April 2006 but has barely surpassed the 50 percent mark, according to the update.

   As of Friday, the WFP received 52.9 percent of the targeted $102 million with five months left in the program's duration.

   South Korea is the largest donor in this category, with $19.7 million, or 19.3 percent of the total collected. Russia is next with $8 million, or 7.8 percent of the total, followed by Switzerland who accounted for 5.4 percent.

   ldm@yna.co.kr
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