Children on the Edge in North Korea

In response to the widespread poverty and isolation in North Korea, Children on the Edge will be partnering with the North Korean Children’s Assistance Program in their work with 5,500 children in dire need.

The programme currently provides food, warm clothing, and essential supplies to children in over a dozen schools and twenty state orphanages. Orphanages are given priority as malnutrition in these institutions is widespread. Our partners are in the unique position of having the approval of the central government, who have asked them to expand their reach into increasingly remote and destitute areas.

In a country which thrives on secrecy, our partner’s founder Professor Sang Lee, has slowly forged relationships and built trust with key officials and teachers. As a result, the North Korean Children’s Assistance Program has access into parts of the country which were previously considered unreachable by any international organisation. 

In spite of the unprecedented access granted to it, the programme is still only able to meet a fraction of the needs at the institutions in which it works. Harsh living conditions and regular food shortages mean that day-to-day life of children in North Korea, especially those living in institutions, is a struggle. 

Despite its current success,  the programme is in serious need of support as it endeavours to reach the neediest areas of the nation. Children on the Edge will be supporting this programme by helping to raise money to respond to the current need. 

Our aim is to build relationships in country as we support this programme, so that in the longer term we can contribute our own unique expertise of working with marginalised and orphaned children. As the country opens up, our hope is that we can encourage the reform and de-institutionalisation of the child care system. 

We are currently pursuing funders for this unique and pioneering project, please get in touch if you are aware of parties that may be interested in supporting the initial stages of this work. 

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