A/HRC/4/30 page 10 security concerns add to the difficulty of movement within the inundated areas. The Special Rapporteur applauds the efforts accomplished by humanitarian agencies to reach the affected populations and urges the Governments to guarantee security conditions for safe passage of assistance. Shortfalls in food aid for sub-Saharan Africa 25. The Special Rapporteur recognizes that there are important efforts being made by Europe, the United States and other developed countries to provide assistance and food aid in emergencies. However, despite the unrelenting commitment of WFP, the Special Rapporteur has received reports of serious funding shortfalls for some of its emergency programmes, threatening the lives of millions of people in Africa. WFP is being forced to cut food rations for 4.3 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Food assistance being provided to mother and child nutrition centres and school feeding is even being cut. Some countries, including Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland face cuts of up to 80 per cent or the termination of assistance. A funding shortfall of more than 70 per cent has forced WFP to halve rations in Mozambique.14 This means that people will be receiving less than half the calories necessary to sustain a healthy life. This is unacceptable. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 26. The situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which has been highly dependent on foreign aid to feed a large part of its population is also of great concern. Following the announcement of a nuclear test in October 2006, some bilateral donors planned to stop emergency aid to the country. Although it is difficult to ascertain the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Special Rapporteur has received indications that another food crisis may be imminent following the recent floods.15 Reportedly the country received about 1 million tons of food aid in 2005 mainly from bilateral donors but has already finished its reserves from last and this year’s harvests. On 10 May 2006 WFP signed a new food aid programme with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for a duration of two years. Security Council resolution 1718 (2006) imposed sanctions against the country.16 The Special Rapporteur is pleased to note that Council resolution 1718 (2006) provides that funds necessary for basic expenses, including payment for foodstuffs, be exempted from the sanctions. He would like to join the call to donors already made by other special procedures and United Nations agencies to continue supporting humanitarian aid to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.17 14 Irin, “WFP halves rations for the hungry”, 10 November 2006. 15 Human Rights Watch, “North Korea: Ending food aid would deepen hunger”, 11 October 2006. 16 UN News, “Security Council imposes sanctions on DPRK”, 14 October 2006. 17 UN News, “UN human rights expert laments food aid cuts to DPRK”, 25 October 2006.