From June 21 until 21 the annual meeting of the Korea Country Group took place. Present state of the program and future plans were discussed. The General Secretary of the Caritas Internationalis headquarters gave a closing press conference with the following statement.

„Members of the international Caritas network met to discuss the present situation of North Korea and the ongoing aid program of the network.

Caritas is very much concerned about the present high tension between South and North after the sinking of the South Korean warship which was attributed to a North Korean torpedo attack  by an international investigation team. This has made it even more difficult to draw impartial attention of the international public to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in North Korea in which major sections of the people are living.

Peace on the peninsular

The North Korean Government‘s militant attitude provokes further hardline stances among political sectors in the South and other countries involved. A vicious circle of aggressive actions might lead to further unintentional damage in relations, blockades for negotiation processes and more losses of life.

Caritas reiterates its call for deescalation and a peaceful solution of conflicts in a Christian spirit. It rejects any armed intervention which might cause further human tragedies. Sincere negotiations with practical outcomes for improving the living situation of North Korean people are the most appropriate way to find solutions and open new perspectives for development.

Continuation of humanitarian aid for North Korean people in need

The real situation of a majority of the North Korean population struggling for satisfaction of daily basic needs of food and health must not be forgotten. Aid organizations together with interested local partners have contributed to mitigate and create new development perspectives by project cooperation. Especially the economically weak groups of elderly people, children and sick people rely on the assistance from the outside.

Caritas is cooperating in a Hepatitis B vaccination campaign for children. It supplies also supplementary food for Tuberculosis and Hepatitis patients in care centers among other projects. This humanitarian aid programs must go on, together with the exchange of technical experiences and identification of further needs and possibilities for a sustainable social development.“