FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 17, 2007

Contact: Eric Block, 206-321-4957

PORTLAND, Ore. - Mercy Corps received a $50,000 grant today from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to strengthen its emergency response in rain-soaked North Korea. The agency is one of only two organizations receiving U.S. government funds for this disaster.

North Korea's worst flooding in years has left an estimated 300,000 homeless and submerged, buried or swept away thousands of acres of farmland, including more than 10 percent of its paddy and corn fields. Mercy Corps is working with local representatives to identify and respond to the most urgent needs. The agency is providing nearly $830,000 worth of relief goods, such as medicine, clothes and basic supplies such as jerry cans, blankets, plastic sheeting and water purification tablets. The USAID funds will help Mercy Corps reach more people with these essential supplies.

"This gift from USAID shows the generosity of the American people in another nation's time of need," said Jim White, Mercy Corps' Senior Director of Program Operations. "We'll be able to work with our North Korean partners to put these goods to the very best use for families affected by the floods."

Heavy rain continues unabated, destroying hundreds of public buildings, washing out more than 500 bridges and ruining numerous railway lines. There are reports of widespread power and telecommunications outages. The flooding has also jeopardized North Korea's already-fragile agricultural capacity, reportedly inundating or washing away at least 11 percent of farmland and spoiling up to 25 percent of current rice and corn crops - sparking fears of widespread food shortages. The agency is assessing its next steps to assist relief and rebuilding efforts.

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.

The agency has long been at the forefront of efforts to bring reconciliation and mutual understanding to the sometimes-contentious relationship between North Korea and the United States. Through the East Asia Advisory Committee and National Committee for North Korea, Mercy Corps is bringing together various stakeholders to discuss ideas for collaboration.

HOW TO HELP:

Mercy Corps

North Korea Floods

Dept. NR

PO Box 2669

Portland OR 97208

www.mercycorps.org

1-800-852-2100

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.

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