Asia PR News

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Sept. 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

The international relief and development organisation, Mercy Corps, and the
global financial institution, ING today announced a new corporate partnership
to support the long term recovery of those worst affected by the Boxing Day
Tsunami of December 2004.

ING has made a single donation to Mercy Corps of US$430,152 (equivalent to
GBP237,979). This is the largest single donation made by the ING Tsunami
Account and marks the start of a relationship with Mercy Corps, ING and with
the people of Aceh in Indonesia.

The funds have already been allocated and projects are underway in the
sub-districts of Jaya Baru and Syiah Kuala, part of Mercy Corps’ overall Aceh
Village Recovery Programme. ING’s funding is being targeted to a return to the
economic recovery of two tsunami affected villages — Tibang and Emperom —
where large sections of the population were killed by the Tsunami. In
partnership with Mercy Corps’ own contribution of US$160,148 (GBP88,601), the
funding is used to reconstruct 700 houses and restore 70 rice and fish ponds
through a community action approach.

Mercy Corps’ core methodology to meet immediate recovery objectives in the
Aceh Village Recovery Programme has been to use "Cash for Work" programmes,
designed to help Acehnese survivors earn cash by assisting in relief efforts
whereby Mercy Corps pays local people as day labourers to implement projects.
This innovative approach not only fulfils the intended project objectives, but
also injects cash into the local economy to stimulate local enterprises and
business regeneration. Furthermore, it encourages the Tsunami affected
communities to take ownership of the reconstruction, helping to restore dignity
and livelihoods.

In the Tibang area prior to the tsunami, approximately 70 percent of the
local population’s livelihoods depended on fishing and rice cultivation. This
project will be completed by mid-2006 and is directly benefiting some 3500
people. Market linkages from these two villages extend throughout Indonesia
and the programme will therefore indirectly support a broader, macro economic
recovery of the entire Indonesian Tsunami affected area.

ING raised US$1.4 million for the Tsunami relief efforts, of which US$1
million was a contribution from ING Group at 30th December 2004, and which
includes a special contribution of US$100,000 from the ING Insurance
Asia/Pacific regional office in Hong Kong, since their region was directly
affected by the Tsunami. The remaining US$0.4million was contributed by ING
staff around the world.

"I hope that this contribution by ING and the additional donations of its
employees can be of help to the relief efforts in the countries that have been
hit so tragically", stated Jacques Kemp, CEO of ING Insurance Asia/Pacific.
"The funds raised have served two purposes. First, they provide immediate
assistance where it was most urgently needed. Second, as the scale of the
tragedy and the need for reconstruction in the regions became clear, they
support long term sustainable projects. ING has carefully selected the
organisations that we are supporting based on efficiency, effectiveness and
transparency."

Jane Salmonson, Mercy Corps’ Executive Director welcomed the partnership
"We are delighted to have received such a generous donation from ING and would
like to thank all those involved in bringing this to fruition especially the
staff of ING for their generosity and support. The donation will allow the
complete reconstruction and livelihood rehabilitation and recovery of two
entire villages, targeting those most affected by the Tsunami where they need
help the most while empowering them to initiate their own recovery. ING’s
involvement is a great example of how international companies can support aid
relief in local communities, and we hope that the project will be a success."

ING
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking,
insurance and asset management to over 60 million private, corporate and
institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of
approximately 114,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent
companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

For more information please view www.ing.com .

Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is an international relief and development agency that exists
to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure,
productive and just communities. The agency’s programmes currently reach 7
million people in more than 35 countries. Mercy Corps is a non profit
organization with headquarters in Edinburgh (Europe) and in Portland, Oregon
and Washington, DC (USA)

Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over $1 billion in assistance to
people in 81 nations. Mercy Corps is known nationally and internationally for
its quick response, high impact programmes. Over 92 percent of the agency’s
resources are allocated directly to programmes that help those in need.

Mercy Corps pursues its mission through:
— Emergency relief services that assist people afflicted by conflict or
disaster.
— Sustainable community development that integrates agriculture, health,
housing and infrastructure, economic development, education and
environment, and local management.
— Civil society initiatives that promote citizen participation,
accountability, conflict management, and the rule of law.

For more information please view www.mercycorps.org.uk or
www.mercycorps.org .

Press enquiries:

Mercy Corps
Jane Salmonson
Tel: +44-131-558-8244
Email: jsalmonson@uk.mercycorps.org

ING Asia/Pacific
Sheel Kohli
Tel: +852-2913-8768
Email: sheel.kohli@ap.ing.com

ING Asia/Pacific
Karen Williams
Tel: +852-2913-8536
Email: karen.williams@ap.ing.com

SOURCE Mercy Corps; ING