As blood for food becomes a harsh reality in North Korea, more citizens are risking their health to survive. Across several provinces, including Hamhung and Ryanggang, families struggling with hunger have begun selling blood in exchange for small quantities of rice or cooking oil. The desperate trend underscores the depth of North Korea’s worsening food crisis following a failed harvest.
Local sources report that food shortages have intensified despite the autumn harvest season, which usually provides some relief. Instead, food prices remain high, and many markets have run dry. As a result, residents are turning to dangerous and unsanitary methods to earn enough to eat.
In many areas, people now receive 2 kilograms of cooking oil or 3 kilograms of rice in exchange for 400 milliliters of blood. That amount feeds a family of three for only a few days. Yet, for many, the trade is the only remaining option.
Reports indicate that one in every two residents now sells blood, a dramatic increase from earlier this year. Medical facilities collecting the blood often lack proper sanitation, and screenings are rare or rushed. Clinics handling tuberculosis and hepatitis cases have also joined the trade, increasing infection risks for already malnourished citizens.
A woman in her 40s from Hamhung collapsed after repeated donations left her severely anemic. She had sold her market stall to survive and later relied on blood sales when income vanished. Many women face similar struggles, as they bear the burden of feeding their families in dire conditions.
Experts warn that blood for food practices reflect not only growing poverty but also state failure to provide essential nutrition. The health consequences are severe, especially since malnourished individuals cannot recover quickly after donating blood. Some sell blood every two or three months, despite the recommended six-month interval.
The humanitarian impact extends beyond Hamhung. Residents in North Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces also report cases of starvation and illness linked to malnutrition. Widespread fear and uncertainty have deepened as rumors of deaths from hunger circulate.
International observers say the country’s isolation has worsened food insecurity, leaving citizens with limited access to aid. They urge coordinated efforts to address North Korea’s worsening humanitarian crisis before conditions deteriorate further.
The growing dependence on blood for food shows how survival has become a daily struggle for many North Koreans, as hunger continues to claim both strength and hope.
