Economic sanctions should never interfere with humanitarian assistance, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. Yet, sanctions have delayed life saving aid from NGOs getting to the people of North Korea for many years.
We have a rare opportunity to make an immediate impact to save lives, and to improve relations with North Korea. Please act today to tell Congress to fix sanctions regulations by including the Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance (ENKHA) Act in the next legislative COVID-19 relief package. Sign HERE.
Little is known about the status of COVID-19 in North Korea, but its proximity to China, where the coronavirus purportedly first broke out, is cause for concern.
Even before the pandemic outbreak, the humanitarian situation in the country was precarious. The United Nations estimates 10 million people in North Korea are in urgent need of food assistance, and 10.4 million people are in need of nutritional support and better access to health care, clean water, and the sanitation and hygiene facilities necessary to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19.
Peace Action’s Congressional allies, Representative Andy Levin (D-MI) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), introduced ENKHA, and now need our support.
Tell Congress to include ENKHA in the next legislative relief package to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can reach the Congressional offices switchboard: 202-224-3121, or tweet. See Also: SanctionsKill.org
Michelle Bachelet said humanitarian exemptions to sanctions measures should be authorized for essential medical equipment and supplies to avoid the collapse of any national healthcare system..." impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us”, she stated.