U.S. based broadcaster Radio Free Asia has reported that some European humanitarian groups believe that the food situation in North Korea is no different than previous years.

RFA reports that European civic group officials say North Korea is always short of food but this year is no worse than others.

The broadcaster also said that officials of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection visited North Korea to evaluate food levels.

It added that the commission’s Desk Officer for Korea at the European External Action Service, Bram Brands, reportedly said the European Commission would provide support only when genuinely necessary.