Feeding Projects

Currently WMM operates two noodle and bread factories in the cities of Pyongyang and Sariwon.  WMM’s progress and outcomes are measured by quarterly monitoring of the production and distribution of the meals provided to the local schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and needy people.  WMM’s goal in 2010 is to open more food factories throughout North Korea and the border area in China.  We have partnered with an organizzation TRADI/Rason Food Processing Company that operates two bread/soy milk factories in Rason.  TRADI will also distribute food to the immediate areas outside of Rason.  We have also partnered with an organization that has established a noodle, biscuit, and bread factory on the border area of China.  WMM will distribute the food to the cities of Heiryong, Onsong, and Chungjin among others.

In 2011, WMM will expsnd food distribution to the surrounding areas of Rason, Onsong, Heiryong and Chongjin.  It is WMM’s objective to gain access to new regions by utilizing more cross-border distribution and further developing partnerships with field workers.  The food distribution and enriched vitamins projects will cose  $2-4,000 per month and approximately $4,000 per quarter will be needed for the noodle factories in Pyongyang and Sariwon.

Trailblazer

Sandra Suh, founder of WMM, started the feeding program in 1996 in response to the severe food shortage problem in North Korea.  WMM was one of the first Korean-American organizations to be approved to operate a noodle factory in North Korea.

Award Winning Organization

At the peak of the Feeding Program, WMM operated six different wet noodle, bread, and soymilk factories.  According to an official government statement, WMM was responsible for saving over 300,000 North Korean lives. The factory produced enough noodles to provide one meal to 5000 people on a daily basis. The noodles were distributed to nearby nursing homes, schools, and hospitals.  In 2004, Ms. Suh was awarded one of the highest humanitarian awards given to a non-profit organization by North Korea.

Progress to Date and Evaluation Method

WMM’s progress and outcomes are measured by quarterly monitoring of the production and distribution of the meals provided to the local schools, hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes and needy people.  To date, WMM has fed hundreds of thousands of North Koreans.  WMM has never missed a shipment of flour and the necessary ingredients to our factories.

WMM strives to quantify the number of meals provided to the local people; conduct visual and direct accounting for the supplies delivered to each food factory every 2 months; insist on having direct interaction with the North Korean officials and directors of operations for each food factory; and continually review data on the number of people who are being supported by this program.  Finally, all production and distribution is regularly monitored by the bilingual WMM staff.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

After the currency exchange, the food shortage in North Korea has become critical. WMM anticipates that more food will be needed to prevent severe malnutrition among the people, especially the children, elderly, and pregnant women.  Due to our relationship with the North Korean government, we have an unprecedented opportunity to open more food factories throughout North Korea and the border towns in China.

*   Each 60 tons of flour, purchased in China and shipped to North Korea by train, costs approximetely $8,000 to $12,000 (depending on the season).  This is needed on a monthly basis.

• One ton of flour will produce 5000 (200 gram) packets.
• A donation of $348 can purchase one ton of flour.

*   In order to establish a noodle factory that provides one meal to 5,000 people on a daily basis, $20,000 is needed and the running cost per year is about $8,000.

*   Other necessary ingredients (cooking oil, eggs, soy, etc.) cost approximately $2,000 per food factory/month.