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N. Korea suffering worst drought in a century, massive food shortages

June 16, 2015
North Korea is currently going through its worse drought in 100 years. (KCNA/Yonhap)

North Korea is currently going through its worse drought in 100 years. (KCNA/Yonhap)

North Korea made it publicly known that it is going through the worst drought the country has seen in 100 years.

Through its main news agency KCNA, the North has outlined the extent of the crisis by stating that its farmland is drying up, adding to the crippling levels of food shortages that are already occurring.

“The worst drought in 100 years continues in the DPRK, causing great damage to its agricultural field,” KCNA said referring to the North as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Just a little over two decades ago, North Korea suffered through of period of significant famine, but was able to pull through to a degree due to international food and money donations.

Since then, the country has learned to adapt in a few ways including growing crops other than rice.

But with the recent controversies regarding human rights violations and nuclear armament among a few others, North Korea’s international aid has seen a significant drop off.

The United Nations did make a request earlier this year for approximately $110 million to help North Korea with its food shortages, but as it stands the proposal hasn’t seen much of a response.

Furthermore, the UN has decreased its funding towards its North Korean agencies from $300 million to $50 million just in the last decade according to Reuters.