The UN was found to have provided sanctions waivers for a total of 25 projects involving humanitarian aid work in North Korea this year. 

The Voice of America revealed the assessment on Friday as it quoted data released by the UN Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee.  

Of the 25 projects, seven were related to supporting the North’s COVID-19 response.  

The remaining 18 projects were related to supplying clean drinking water and food aid for the malnourished as well as providing emergency medical support. 

The report noted that 17 of the 25 projects were granted exemptions in the first half while the remaining eight secured them in the second half.  

Observers say the number of projects is likely to have halved in the second half after relief organizations stopped requesting exemptions when the North closed its borders.