SINGAPORE, September 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Volunteers Reach Out to Over 13,000 Beneficiaries in the Middle East and North Africa

DHL, part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world's leading postal and logistics group, is rolling out Global Volunteer Day 2011. Between September 1 and September 10, 2011, approximately 27,000 DHL employees in Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with their business partners and customers, will help over 47,000 beneficiaries through some 160 community programs. The efforts are part of the company's global drive to inculcate a passion for volunteerism among employees.

(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2010/09/02/20100902467742-l.jpg )

"As the global logistics leader with a long standing presence in the Middle East, DHL is committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate. We are reaching out to over 13,000 beneficiaries in our region this year through Global Volunteer Day," said Nour Suliman, CEO, Middle East and North Africa, DHL Express. "We hope projects like these inspire our colleagues to continue their individual voluntary efforts to make a positive impact to our society and environment."

Enver Moretti, CEO, Emerging Markets Region, DHL Global Forwarding, said: "With a network of around 470,000 employees globally, we recognize that people are our greatest asset. In tandem with this, our Global Volunteer Day provides an enormous opportunity to encourage our employees to contribute. I am proud of the commitment shown to this important program, and especially to the activities that are being organized this year in the Middle East."

"As part of our company's global Strategy 2015, we have the Living Responsibility initiative where we focus on three key programs: GoGreen for environmental protection, GoHelp for disaster management and GoTeach for our efforts in community development and education for children and youths. Global Volunteer Day activities are aligned with these areas where we hope to make a difference in the countries that we operate in," said Rob Ballentine, CEO, Middle East & Africa, DHL Supply Chain.

Volunteer activities in the Middle East and North Africa cover a wide range of efforts including the following:

• In Bahrain, employees will spend time with 150 children from Alsanabel Orphans Care Bahrain during an excursion to the Al Areen Wildlife Park, where they will help the children learn about the birds and mammals in the Park, many of which are native to the Arabian Gulf Region.
• United Arab Emirates volunteers will be painting the Al Noor Special Needs School, home to some 300 beneficiaries. Up to five classrooms will be given a fresh coat of paint as part of the school's maintenance needs.
• To support the fight against school abandonment in the rural areas of Morocco, DHL is partnering with a local non-governmental organization to donate bicycles to children who live in villages far from their schools. Some 100 bicycles will be distributed and volunteers will engage the children on the topic of road safety. Volunteers will also help in painting the bicycles in DHL colours.
• In Egypt, DHL is organizing a Blood Donation Camp in partnership with Vacsera, while other volunteers will visit an orphanage where they will plant trees and lead an excursion to see a muppet show. Additionally, DHL will launch an aid program to deliver food to Somalia.

Introduced in Asia Pacific in 2008, Volunteer Day has expanded into Americas, Middle East, Africa and Europe over the years, and continues to build on its success by involving more employees than ever before. From 1 to 10 September this year, Deutsche Post DHL offices around the world are participating in many diverse community projects in support of various local causes. These programs deliver to the company's three Corporate Responsibility programs -- GoTeach (championing education), GoGreen (protecting the environment) and GoHelp (delivering help after natural disasters).

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DHL - The Logistics company for the world

DHL, part of Deutsche Post DHL, is the global market leader in the logistics industry and "The Logistics company for the world". DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 275,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 51 billion euros in 2010.

SOURCE DHL