DATE=04/10/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N/NORTH KOREA (S)

NUMBER=2-288552

BYLINE=JAMES DONAHOWER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

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VOICED AT:

INTRO: According to the United Nations' World Food Program, North Korea is facing "a severe food crisis."

James Donahower reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: U-N spokesman Fred Eckhard says unless new pledges are made for its emergency operations, the W-F-P will suffer a "break in the food aid pipeline," resulting in a serious disruption of their efforts to alleviate hunger and reduce malnutrition in North Korea.

Mr. Eckhard says time is of the essence.

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They require an additional 368-thousand metric tons of cereals and other commodities to be fully implemented. It can take two to four months for food to reach a beneficiary once a pledge is made.

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W-F-P operations in North Korea feed six-point-four million people, primarily children, pregnant and nursing women, and the elderly. (Signed)

NEB/NYC/JAD/SAB