Relief workers needed in North Korea

The North Korean government’s Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee has invited Baptist World Aid and Hungarian Baptist World Aid (HBAid), to send relief workers to North Korea for two to three months beginning in September.

The invitation follows a recent visit to North Korea to view possible aid projects by Paul Montacute, BWAid director, and Sandor Szenczy, director of HBAid, BWAid will help with an orphanage, children’s hospital and a general hospital in Sariwon.

Montacute and Szenczy met with government officials and told them BWAid plans to send more medicines and medical equipment worth over $2.5 million and food and children’s clothing and other supplies valued at more than $600,000.

However, they said coordinators were needed in the country for the most effective way to proceed.

‘Appalling state’

Montacute described the orphanage and the children’s hospital as “in an appalling state” with babies on the floor and a lack of medicines, especially antibiotics.

North Korean officials thanked BWAid for the medical supplies, seeds and nutritional food sent two years ago after a visit from Montacute and Szenczy.

BWAid continues to look for donations towards its work in North Korea, and donations may be sent ot the following BWAid Appeal addresses.

Please designate for “North Korea.”
Baptist World Aid, Baptist World Alliance, 6733 Curran Street, McLean, VA, 22101; phone: 703-790-8980; fax: 703-790-5719; e-mail at: BWAid@bwanet.org. Contacts are Paul Montacute or Lee Hickman.

A United States tax receipt will be issued.

Donations may also be made by Visa or MasterCard, in U.S. dollars. State the gift amount in U.S. dollars, signature of donor and name as it appears on credit card.

(BWA)