Voice of America (VOA) has reported that North Korea requested the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to survey its food shortage. VOA says the two organizations will conduct a joint survey for one month from February tenth.

Dr. Kisan Gunjal of the FAO told VOA that they will survey for food security and crop situations in the impoverished nation, with two experts based in Rome and Bangkok to take part.

Dr. Gunjal went on to say that this survey is a follow-up to one conducted between late September and early October last year. He said that although the precise reason for North Korea’s invitation is unclear, this on-site follow-up survey is the first of its kind.