World Vision’s founder, Dr. Bob Pierce, visited China and North Korea in 1949. Stunned by the poverty and physical suffering of the people there, particularly the children, he vowed to bring their needs to the attention of others. A year later, he launched World Vision. While operations have existed in South Korea since the beginning of the organization, efforts in North Korea began in 1995 in response to the government’s request for humanitarian assistance. Over the course of two years, World Vision provided $5.5 million worth of food, medicines, and clothing to children and families. After intense flooding, work expanded in 1998 to include recovery of agriculture and health systems.
