The government will increase this year's international rice donation by 50,000 tons (t) compared to last year. Following a 50,000t increase last year, an additional 50,000t will be added this year, resulting in a 100,000t increase in international rice donations over the past two years.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 17th that it will support 150,000t of rice to 17 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This amount of rice can provide nutritional support to 8.18 million people annually.
Korea transitioned from a recipient country to a donor country in 2009, coinciding with its membership in the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Korea was the first recipient country to make this transition. Since then, Korea has joined the Food Aid Convention (FAC) in 2018 and has provided 50,000t of rice annually. In 2024, it plans to expand the amount of food aid to 100,000t.
The rice we donate to the international community will be delivered to a total of 17 countries: nine in Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Namibia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau), four in Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Tajikistan), three in the Middle East (Lebanon, Yemen, Syria), and one in Latin America (Cuba).
International rice donations do not involve donating surplus rice from domestic sources in kind. Instead, the government transfers contributions to the WFP, which uses those funds to purchase government-managed rice and transport and distribute it to recipient countries. As the donation volume increases, the project budget also expands. This year, the government's rice aid budget is 190.1 billion won, a 69.7% increase compared to last year's 112 billion won.
Director General for International Cooperation Jeong Hye-ryun noted, "The food aid project demonstrates that we, who once received support from the WFP, have elevated to a developed country," and said, "We will continue to expand the target countries and types of support in order to contribute to overcoming the global food crisis."