A/HRC/4/15 page 6 Actual operations started in June 2006 on the basis of a letter of understanding with the authorities of the country, principally targeting for aid to women and young children. A number of factories are now being supported to produce fortified biscuits and blended foods. 7. Yet, outside aid has been less than forthcoming, as a reaction to the missile and nuclear tests carried out by the country. By the end of 2006, WFP was able to reach 29 counties out of the projected 50 and was able to cover only some 740,000 beneficiaries. It had received only 12 per cent of the required funding, and available food stocks were expected to be exhausted by the second quarter of 2007. On a related front, the Public Distribution System was only able to fulfil part of the food and nutritional needs of the population. As observed by the WFP executive brief on the country (4 January 2007): “Sharply lower purchasing power compounds the long standing inability of the Government-run Public Distribution System (PDS) to provide enough subsidized cereals to those it supposedly serves: the 70 per cent of the population living in urban areas. An ostensible revitalization of the PDS last October to provide an average of 500 grams a day appears to have had very limited success. While it may be the case that some areas are receiving some rations, such distribution is not felt to be uniform throughout the country.” 8. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also highlighted the food shortage in a 2006 publication.3 9. The above should be seen in the light of the continuing prevalence of malnutrition in the country. It can be recalled that a 2004 survey carried out by United Nations agencies found that 37 per cent of young children suffered from malnutrition, while one third of mothers were both anaemic and malnourished. The shortage of food will thus have a major impact on the needy population. This is compounded by the decline of medical services and shortage of medicines, fertilizers and electricity. There is also widespread tuberculosis. 10. It is important to underline the need to generate food security in the country, for which no foreign aid could be a substitute. Of relevance is the recent draft country programme proposed by the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Population Fund. It highlights five priorities for 2007-2009: enhanced economic management, sustainable food security to improve the quality of life, sufficient energy supply for economic development, social development to improve the quality of life of the people, and improved environment for sustainable development (see DP/DCP/PRK/1, September 2006). Examples of projected activities include a sustainable rural energy development programme; establishment of an agricultural databank; an agricultural seed development programme; reduction of pre- and post-harvest losses; a demonstration project for an integrated mountain and watershed management system; an integrated environmental and early warning system for preventing environmental degradation and natural disasters; and a policy and technical base for small-scale generation of wind energy. However, supportive responses from the international community have been dampened by the furore caused by the arms tests in 2006. 3 FAO, “Crop Prospects and Food Situation”, No. 3, October 2006, pp. 15-16.