Ten South Korean civic groups have joined hands to launch a fundraising campaign for humanitarian aid to impoverished North Korea.

The groups told a news conference that humanitarian aid to the North should be given without any conditions, adding that it's the "right thing to do" to unconditionally help North Koreans avoid mass starvation.

They stressed that international aid agencies fear that without immediate food aid, North Korea could face food shortages as severe as the famine from 1995 to 1998.

They suggested that Seoul provide "matching funds" for aid groups to join international humanitarian efforts.