Friday, May 23, 2008

Mercy Corps relies on DHL to ship emergency supplies worth $1 million from Portland to Myanmar and China

May 23, 2008 –Portland OR— Mercy Corps has shipped 18 pallets (over nine tons) of emergency supplies to help survivors in disaster-affected Myanmar and China where the agency is operating on-the-ground relief efforts. Leaving from Portland by truck, the shipment will be routed through Seattle where it will be air lifted to Bangkok with the help of DHL.

In addition, Mercy Corps announced a new partnership in Myanmar/Burma with the UK–based medical aid agency Merlin to deliver direct aid to survivors. Mercy Corps will be working with Merlin in the Laputta District where up to 80,000 of the pre-cyclone population of 350,000 died in the storm.

“We’ve learned from past experience what types of supplies people need following a major disaster and that’s what we’re sending to China and Myanmar,” said Matthew Schwartzberg, senior material aid officer for Mercy Corps. “The materials we’ve chosen have critical value in emergencies but are not typically provided by governments and other aid groups. The needs remain great and DHL and the other companies involved are helping Mercy Corps reach those who need help most.”

“DHL takes great pride in contributing our expertise to deliver critical logistics solutions in disaster situations,” said Dan McHugh, CEO of DHL Express – Asia Pacific. “Our employees across the world have responded swiftly to the unfortunate events in Myanmar and China, and with the support of our group-wide colleagues in the U.S. and Asia, we are pleased to be partnering Mercy Corps to deliver relief to the communities that need it most.”

DHL will store the entire shipment at its Bangkok warehouse and Mercy Corps staff, including a Portland-based aid worker, will manage distribution of the supplies to China and Myanmar. DHL’s donation of international freight services and warehouse storage is valued at around $750,000.

With an estimated 2.4 million people affected in Myanmar and at least 4.8 million homeless in China, today’s air lift brings critical supplies to survivors of recent disasters. The combined value of materials, shipping and storage tops $1 million in humanitarian assistance.

Mercy Corps’ material aid team facilitated the shipment of over $300,000 worth of supplies that includes safety, health, shelter, and communications materials. Specific materials include thousands of pairs of work gloves and wind-up radios and flashlights, tarps, and hundreds of multi-tools. Oregon-based companies donating materials include Leatherman Tool Group Inc., Nike Inc. and LaCrosse footwear.

Mercy Corps will add school kits to the shipment, which include color pencils, paper, erasers and more – to be used in the agency’s “Comfort for Kids” activities in China. This program helps children regain a sense of normalcy and process the trauma of the large-scale natural disaster. Nike has contributed soccer balls for sports-related youth programs to help children cope with stress through play.

In Myanmar, Mercy Corps’ global emergency operations (GEO) team members are on the ground working to address medical, health, water and sanitation needs. Mercy Corps’ longer-term plans in Myanmar include Cash-for-Work programs that pay residents to clear debris, repair infrastructure and address other immediate needs, similar to programs Mercy Corps successfully ran in countries affected by the 2004 tsunami.

In China, Mercy Corps continues to work through local partners All China Youth Federation (ACYF) and the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) on relief and long-term programming that will best meet the needs of earthquake survivors. The agency will focus on psychosocial programming as a longer-term recovery program for children.

Mercy Corps is currently accepting donations for humanitarian assistance to both cyclone and earthquake survivors. Mercy Corps and reputable local partner organizations will monitor distribution of donations.


HOW TO HELP:
Mercy Corps Myanmar Cyclone Fund – or – China Earthquake Fund
Dept NR, PO Box 2669 Portland, OR 97208
www.mercycorps.org – or – 1-800-852-2100


About 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. Some 300,000 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 63 bn euros in 2007.


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 $1.5 billion in assistance to people in 106 nations. Supported by headquarters offices in North America and Europe, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach nearly 16.4 million people in more than 35 countries.

Contact: Caitlin Carlson, 503.548.8497
ccarlson@mercycorps.org or Susan Laarman,
503.341.3799, slaar@imagina.com