Title: Lutherans Aid with Food Shipments to North Korea ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF April 21, 1997 CHURCHES SHIP FOOD TO NORTH KOREA The famine situation in North Korea continues to deteriorate, according to Action by Churches Together (ACT). Food stocks in the country have almost been completely depleted. Many people are now resorting to eating grass, tree bark, roots and a few dried vegetables. ACT reports that children are dying of malnutrition in the food crisis. ACT is a worldwide network of churches, including the Lutheran World Federation, meeting human need through coordinated emergency response. There is an urgent need to increase emergency food aid in order to stave off further massive starvation, ACT said. ACT purchased and shipped 500 metric tons of barley seeds in February that arrived in time for the spring planting season and was immediately distributed throughout North Korea. ACT shipped 2,000 metric tons of rice to North Korea at the end of March. The rice will benefit some 444,400 people. Through the North Korean Mission in China, ACT purchased 10 metric tons of spinach seeds for shipment to North Korea. Erich Weingartner is the international officer who will represent the organizations providing assistance, ACT reported. ACT has issued an appeal for $2.1 million. The Lutheran World Federation is a worldwide communion of 122 member churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html