November 16, 2009, Los Angeles, California - International Medical Corps announced today the appointment of actress and activist Sienna Miller as an Ambassador. Miller recently traveled with International Medical Corps to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to see first-hand the impact that war has had on women and children. During more than a decade, an estimated 5.4 million people have died in DRC as a result of the ongoing conflict and disease. International Medical Corps has been providing health services and training local health professionals there since the '90s.

"We are tremendously grateful to have Sienna join our efforts in raising awareness of the suffering of vulnerable populations in DRC and around the world," said International Medical Corps President & CEO Nancy A. Aossey. "In many of these remote and volatile areas we are providing the only health care services that exist. Sienna's steadfast commitment to shining a light on these crises will - and already has - had an enormous impact on our life-saving work."

"After seeing International Medical Corps' courageous work up-close I was determined to become more involved, devoting my energies and my name to bring more attention to the challenges they face around the world," said Miller, who currently stars on Broadway in "After Miss Julie." "These people work in the toughest conditions imaginable, saving lives every single day, and helping bring self-reliance and hope. The question for me was, how could I not take action?"

Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps today has a staff of 3,500 working in more than 22 countries and regions. Its relief efforts focus on training local health workers, delivering maternal and child health care, integrating mental health into primary care settings, and promoting the use of clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene.

Since its inception 25 years ago, International Medical Corps' mission has been to relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance. For more information visit our website at www.imcworldwide.org.

Contact: Margaret Aguirre (310) 826-7800 maguirre@imcworldwide.org