The community of international humanitarian workers in North Korea was already on the decline before COVID-19 hit, due to a chronic shortage of funding and growing sanctions. But when Pyongyang closed its border a year ago, it also imposed new restrictions on domestic movement that effectively suspended the efforts of remaining humanitarian workers. 

The consequences of these restrictions have been significant.

Firstly, the border shutdown has prevented non-resident NGOs and externally-based U.N. staff from visiting the country over the past year. 

Secondly, large numbers of humanitarian cargo containers destined for the DPRK remain stuck in ports like Dalian and Dandong,