Massive aid programme for North Korea

The United States says it is examining a United Nations appeal for substantial food aid to avert a famine in North Korea.

A State Department spokesman said Washington intended to consult other countries before responding.

Earlier, the World Food Programme announced it was about to launch the biggest emergency operation in its history.

The UN agency warned that food stocks in North Korea could run out as early as April, and said that three-hundred-and-eighty-million dollars of food aid was required to meet the shortages -- twice the amount sent to North Korea last year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service