WHO announces Covid aid package to North Korea

In its latest report covering issues in South and East Asia, the World Health Organisation has announ ed that it has begun sending COVID-related aid to North Korea through the Chinese port of Dallan.

It is unclear whether North Korea has opened its borders since the pandemic had necessitated the country's closure and strict lockdown measures.

"To support DPR [the name by which North Korea refers to itself] Korea with essential COVID-19 medical supplies, WHO started the shipment through Dalian port, China for strategic stockpiling and further dispatch to DPR Korea," the agency said. The US and other world powers have cast doubts on North Korea's claim of having no COVID cases. WHO had earlier claimed that North Korea claimed to have tested at least 40,700 people for the coronavirus with no positive results as of September 23. No major outbreaks have been reported from the region.

No confirmation has arrived as to whether the aid has been received.