FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2007 Contact: Caitlin Carlson, 503-548-8497 Joy Portella, 206-437-7885

-- With relief and recovery efforts complete, development programs focus on providing long-term economic stability

Portland, Ore - On the three-year anniversary of the devastating December 26 Indian Ocean tsunami, Mercy Corps reports that its recovery and reconstruction programs have shifted to a longer-term focus on improving the economic and civic strength of affected communities.

Since the disaster, the economy in Indonesia's hard-hit Aceh province has been fueled by recovery and reconstruction efforts, with many jobs stemming from the construction business. Now, with reconstruction winding down, the unemployment rate is rising - and the need for a reenergized and diversified economy is critical.

Mercy Corps is working with more than 200 Acehnese villages to address this looming crisis. The organization's programs support the agricultural and microfinance sectors, and help community leaders to prepare for the province's future.

"One of our greatest strengths is moving seamlessly from relief and recovery to long-term development of communities affected by disaster or crisis," said Mark Ferdig, Mercy Corps' director of Aceh programming. "We are laying the groundwork for economic and social development. Our goal is to give communities the tools they need to succeed long after we leave."

Mercy Corps' agricultural programs support and enhance fisheries, aquaculture, livestock, forestry and crop production. In the past three years, these programs have directly benefited over 22,000 Acehnese people with a total investment of $1.5 million.

The agency's microfinance projects connect people with products and services to start or improve small businesses, build economic infrastructure, improve sustainability and reach of lending institutions, and increase overall economic productivity. To date, Mercy Corps has helped re-open or create 400 small businesses in Aceh.

As the economy transitions away from its dependence on reconstruction, vibrant communities will be essential for economic stability. Through the reconstruction process, a strong group of local leaders in the political, economic and social sectors has emerged. Mercy Corps has helped form 89 community groups in Aceh that are working to empower these leaders and ensure that communities can take ownership of their infrastructure and development projects, advocate effectively for themselves and shape their own futures.

Mercy Corps' work in other tsunami-affected countries has also transitioned to long-term development. In Sri Lanka, Mercy Corps' work focuses on community revitalization and creating economic opportunities, and in Somalia, programs support economic recovery of the tsunami-battered fishing industry. The agency's tsunami relief work in India phased out at the end of 2005.

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 global programs employ 3,400 staff worldwide and reach more than 14.4 million people in more than 35 countries. Over the past five years, more than 90 percent of the agency's resources have been allocated directly to programs that help people in need. For more information, visit www.mercycorps.org.