The UN says there are no international workers left in North Korea

A UN spokesperson said the world body in North Korea has no international staff, who are now working remotely.

Despite claiming to be Coronavirus (COVID-19) free, North Korea has closed its borders as part of stringent anti-pandemic measures that included the departure of diplomats and foreign nationals.

Earlier this week, the last two international employees of the United Nations, both with the World Food Program, reportedly left Pyongyang.

United Nations spokesman Stephen Dujarric said in New York on Friday that the United Nations office is open and functional, and continues to work remotely with local staff for the benefit of the people of North Korea.

Mr. Dujarik said that after more than a year in North Korea, international staff from the United Nations had traveled home to visit their families and for the UN staff to return to Pyongyang as soon as the epidemic-related border was closed. are supposed to.

Mr. Dujarik said that the WFP would be operated by local staff in Pyongyang and by international employees working remotely.

Several UN agencies including WFP, WHO and UNICEF have offices in North Korea. But it is unclear how soon his international staff can return.

Experts question North Korea’s claim of zero cases. North Korea, whose public health care system remains dilapidated, will be at risk of a humanitarian crisis if a major outbreak occurs.

An international health group set up to promote the global use of coronavirus vaccines said last month that North Korea could potentially receive 1.9 million doses of vaccines manufactured in India during the first half of the year. There are approximately 26 million people in North Korea.

“UN is working with the government in support of a COVAX vaccination campaign and hopes it will provide an opportunity for employees to return and increase our support,” Mr Dujarik said.

North Korea’s rapid trade in external trade, coupled with UN sanctions and natural disasters that have killed crops in the past year, has been a major setback for its fragile economy.

“Stricter COVID-19 prevention measures have affected humanitarian operations in (North Korea), leading to reduced operational efficiencies, out of stock of essential humanitarian supplies, and delayed delivery of humanitarian programs,” Mr. Dujarik said.