PHILADELPHIA — The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), which has worked for peaceful relations between the United States and North Korea for more than 40 years, needs your support to address the deepening humanitarian crisis resulting from recent floods in North Korea. The Service Committee has activated its emergency response team in Philadelphia who continue to assess critical needs and monitor to the evolving situation on the ground. Working through partner organizations in North Korea, including large cooperative farms in flood affected areas where AFSC has ongoing agricultural projects, we seek monetary contributions for vitally needed supplies and appropriate response in the region.

Contributions should be earmarked to "AFSC Crisis Fund," and mailed to: AFSC Development, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. To contribute via Visa or MasterCard, call 1-888-588-2372, ext. 1.

American Friends Service Committee work on the Korean peninsula dates back to the early 1950s, when the organization AFSC helped South Koreans rebuild houses destroyed by war and worked in a medical project for war refugees. Our work represents a long-term commitment with activities designed to build better regional relations.

The Service Committee is currently working with four cooperative farms in North Korea to increase food production, a program that began in 1997. The organization has sponsored agricultural and other delegations to and from North Korea, and sponsored conferences on alternative security, peace and tolerance building.

Backed by a 90-year history working for peace, justice and reconciliation in troubled areas of the world, the American Friends Service Committee is a faith-based organization grounded in Quaker beliefs respecting the dignity and worth of every person. The Service Committee has provided crucial, life-saving assistance to people struggling for survival — whether caught in the crossfire of war, or the horrors of earthquake or famine. AFSC helps those who are suffering without regard to their religious, ethnic, or political affiliation. Working collaboratively to relieve pain and suffering has been a major focus of the Service Committee's highly regarded international affairs work.

For more information on AFSC work in North Korea, visit the web site: http://www.afsc.org.

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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.