The Salvation Army announced that it has undergone a “historic breakthrough” in its effort to feed the impoverished people of North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).

North Korea is known to be among the worst regimes in the world, where thousands die of starvation annually. According to the Salvation Army’s release, a rural community in the DPRK’s South Hwanghae Province produces enough milk through its goats, but are unable to process the milk before it spoils.

Therefore, the Salvation Army has agreed to work in partnership with the small community as well as the DPRK to develop yogurt processing and packaging facility in the area.

“This project will benefit the people of Gyenam in a number of ways. Not only will the local milk collectives and farmers increase their income, but they will also be able to provide food of high nutritional value from milk resources that might otherwise spoil. This will be especially beneficial to vulnerable groups such as children and those who are elderly or infirm,” the Salvation Army stated on August 11.

The main role of the Salvation Army would be providing the packaging equipment and shipping it to the community of Gyenam to install it. The Salvationists will then train local technicians to use and maintain the machinery.

Until the production runs smoothly, Salvation Army announced that it will ship one million yogurt cups pre-printed with a Salvation Army logo together with lids made of paper for initial development.

In making the announcement the Salvation Army cautiously emphasized that the project would be an example of “an integrated Christian response to human needs.”

“The Salvation Army recognizes the fortitude and resourcefulness of communities in the DPRK, and the importance of self-sufficiency. This pilot project will give The Salvation Army an opportunity to use its expertise in community capacity development to provide practical assistance to the people of Gyenam, in cooperation with the Government of the DPRK, and at the same time offer them an example of an integrated Christian response to human needs,” they wrote in the statement.

The Salvation Army in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory will jointly manage the project.