The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), more commonly known as North Korea, is one of the most isolated and poorest countries in the world. Under the rule of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, the country has largely closed itself off from the rest of the world, relying heavily on China and Russia for its economic stability.

Many North Koreans suffer from many natural disasters and the lack of basic infrastructure and food systems to live stable, healthy lives. Nearly 40% of its population lives below the poverty line. Almost a quarter of the people lack access to enough food, which is a huge problem for children especially, many of whom are malnourished. Poor health among children because of a lack of food and water is perhaps one of the reasons for the 33% infant mortality rate.

However, because of the government’s strict control over people’s lives and strong sentiment against Western influence, it is difficult for many charities and non-profit organizations to work within the country. Yet, that does not mean North Korea is left alone. Here are five charities operating in North Korea and making a difference in communities.

Liberty in North Korea

Liberty in North Korea is a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping North Korean refugees escape and resettle either in South Korea or the United States. It is illegal for North Koreans to leave the country without their government’s permission, yet some are still risking their lives to escape North Korea’s authoritarian regime. However, if caught, Chinese authorities send them back to North Korea, where they face torture, imprisonment and even death. So Liberty in North Korea has become a “modern-day underground railroad” of 3,000 miles, helping refugees get safely to Southeast Asia and eventually South Korea or the United States.

World Vision International

World Vision International is another charity working in North Korea. It is a Christian relief charity that operates in 100 countries, and it started working in North Korea in 1994. Focusing on fighting poverty around the world, World Vision International has been focusing its relief efforts on North Korea.

Through its Food for Life project, which started in response to North Korea’s food shortage, World Vision International has focused on improving children’s nutrition in the country. It has steadily provided wheat flour, soy products and machines for that purpose. However, its long-term goal regarding nutrition is to equip the country to fulfil its food needs through agricultural development programs and technologies.

World Vision International has also built around 30 clean water systems and hygienic latrines in rural areas of North Korea, to help ensure clean drinking water for communities. And lastly, it focuses on providing emergency relief that includes food, supplies and medicine for the many impacted by the monsoons, landslides and flooding that occur regularly.

Christian Friends of Korea

Christian Friends of Korea is a Christian charity organization that ministers to the North Korean people. While it does strive to help North Korea’s infrastructure and energy systems, it has a very specific focus on treating tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis patients. The lack of access to clean water has many consequences, including gastrointestinal diseases, malnutrition, weakened immune systems, and tuberculosis. Thus, Christian Friends of Korea has focused its mission on treating the numerous TB and hepatitis patients.

So far, the organization has supported more than 35 care centers, seven TB and hepatitis hospitals and almost 18 TB and hepatitis rest homes. Many of these medical centers are located in remote areas, where clean water is harder to get. Christian Friends of Korea has also given water filter buckets to communities to ensure clean drinking water.

Choson Exchange

Choson Exchange is a nonprofit organization that focuses on raising entrepreneurs in North Korea to enrich lives, drive innovation and financial stability in the country and help North Korea be a responsible global citizen. North Korean college students see business economics as essential for an improved future, but they lack the means and resources for practical experience and high level.

Many foreign professionals lead workshops and mentor young North Korean students to train them into capable, successful business leaders in their country. Many students have gone on to start their businesses or improve the marketing and production of existing products, which is a step in the right direction towards a higher living standard that these college students dream of.

Premiere Urgence Internationale

Premiere Urgence Internationale focuses on humanitarian and developmental programs in North Korea. Food insecurity has become a more pressing issue for North Koreans because of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic sanctions after the country’s nuclear activity. Authorities have been preparing for another famine like the 1990s “Arduous March,” which killed an estimated 1 million people. Nearly 70% of the population relies on food distributions from the government.

To help with this food problem, the charity organization has specifically focused on improving the nutrition of communities. By developing the goat industry on collective farms as well as at agricultural universities, Premiere Urgence Internationale works to diversify communities’ diets and improve their nutrition through goat milk production. It has also done the same through vegetables and soybean products.

For example, one project supplied a glass of milk or yogurt to children in North Korea’s southern Hwanghae Province. After Premiere Urgence Internationale helped build the infrastructure, supply the equipment, train the workers and set up the manufacturing units, since 2015 workers have been keeping up the soy milk and yogurt production without the organization’s help to give to the communities. However, COVID-19 has impacted Premiere Urgence Internationale’s work in North Korea, leaving its work in the country uncertain as of now.

These five charities and others operating in North Korea are helping people to steadily improve their lives. It may take time, but these charities operating in North Korea are proof that there is progress.

– Hannah Chang

Hannah is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr