PORTLAND, OR - September 6, 2007 - The express and logistics company DHL is generously providing a very substantial contribution to cover shipping expenses for urgently - needed medicines headed to North Korea. The global humanitarian agency Mercy Corps is sending nearly $13 million worth of medicines to the flood-wracked country to assist in its relief efforts. The shipment arrived in the capital city of Pyongyang on Saturday.

"DHL is an essential partner in moving these items into the flood zone," said Nancy Lindborg, Mercy Corps' president. "Thanks to them, we'll be able to reach more people faster with lifesaving supplies."

Mercy Corps is sending more than $12.5 million of pharmaceuticals from Amsterdam, The Netherlands provided through private donations, and DHL is helping speed these supplies into North Korea. The US government, through the US Agency for International Development's Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance, has given a $50,000 grant to the agency to fund the purchase of additional antibiotics. Nike has also donated more than $430,000 in clothing, and is generously covering the transportation costs for these goods.

Scott Price, CEO, DHL Express - Europe, said, "Companies with extensive global reach play a crucial role in connecting the dots on the map in times of need, to ensure that relief reaches affected communities in the fastest and most efficient way. DHL is committed to utilize our core competency in logistics to provide assistance to the international community’s humanitarian missions."

The support from DHL will allow Mercy Corps to bring some relief to a country deluged with heavy rain. Close to one million people have been affected by the floods, according to the UN, and at least 11 percent of the country’s farmlands have been inundated or washed away. Waterborne illnesses often run rampant after major floods, creating major health problems. The items on this shipment have been specifically requested from local representatives in North Korea.

Dan McHugh, Acting CEO, DHL Express - Asia Pacific, said, "Together with Mercy Corps and our DHL colleagues around the globe, we have successfully coordinated and delivered supplies to help support the flood relief efforts. We are joined by a common purpose to alleviate the difficulties faced by vulnerable communities."

A team of four Mercy Corps staff arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday to help hand-deliver these medicines. The agency will work with its in-country partners to target flood-affected communities in areas such as South Pyongang province, where Mercy Corps has ongoing coordination of food security programs, as well as other hard-hit provinces such as North Pyongang, North Hwanghea and Kwangwon do.

Mercy Corps has worked with vulnerable North Korean families and communities since 1996, striving to help meet health and nutritional needs as well as collaborating on long-term agricultural and economic solutions. The organization's co-founder, Ells Culver, reached out to the North Korean people after the country suffered years of drought, flooding and food shortages. That diplomacy has led to an extraordinary partnership that includes farmer exchanges between North Korea and the United States' Pacific Northwest. Over the course of more than 20 visits to North Korea, Culver repeatedly demonstrated his belief that caring assistance would lead to positive change.

DHL’s Corporate Sustainability approach focuses on people, communities and environment in the countries where it operates. It is a key part of the company’s business strategy and long-term success.

HOW TO HELP:
Mercy Corps
North Korea Floods
Dept. NR
PO Box 2669
Portland OR 97208
www.mercycorps.org
1-800-852-2100

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1.3 billion in assistance to people in 100 nations. Supported by headquarters offices in North America, Europe and Asia, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,400 staff worldwide and reach nearly 14.4 million people in more than 35 countries. For more information, visit www.mercycorps.org.

DHL

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. 285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of more than €60 billion in 2006.

Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1.5 billion in assistance to people in 106 nations. Supported by headquarters offices in North America and Europe, the agency's global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach more than 16.4 million people in more than 35 countries. Over the past five years, more than 89 percent of the agency's resources have been allocated directly to programs that help people in need. For more information, visit www.mercycorps.org.

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