The Korea Herald

지나쌤

KDRA stamps 50 years of disaster aid

By Kirsty Taylor

Published : July 13, 2011 - 19:10

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KDRA 50th aniversary stamp KDRA 50th aniversary stamp

A new postage stamp has been launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Korea Disaster Relief Association.
The organization was set up in the wake of typhoon Sarah, which caused massive damage to the Korean Peninsula. The storm killed 669 people and left 782,126 homeless here in 1959.

The KDRA now runs emergency relief funds, volunteer services, and provides daily necessities to people in need when disaster strikes. It has helped restore and provide temporary housing for disaster victims and has raised 945 billion won ($890 million) in donations and 24.8 million relief items so far.

Wednesday saw Korea Post issue 1.4 million copies of the 250 won commemorative stamp, which features a teddy bear at a disaster site.