On Monday, December 10th, 2007, the last shipment of more than 750,000 life-saving vaccines was loaded on an airplane bound for Uzbekistan, in the final chapter of an extraordinary humanitarian effort in Canada spearheaded by UNICEF, sanofi-aventis Group, one of the country's leading medical aid agencies, and the logistics division of DHL to provide badly needed medicines to the children of Uzbekistan.

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis, donated the single doses of vaccine to Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC), a Canadian medical aid agency dedicated to improving access to healthcare and medicine in the developing world. HPIC is providing the vaccines to UNICEF, the world's leading children's humanitarian agency, for use this winter in a vaccination program for the children of Uzbekistan.

The vaccine will be used to immunize children under the age of two against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health covered all in-field transportation costs and supplied sufficient quantities of syringes and safety boxes. DHL, a long time corporate partner of UNICEF, discounted the transportation cost of 26 temperature controlled containers, and leveraged its unmatched global network and delivery expertise to manage the movements of the precious cargo.

"While Canadian children have access to free vaccines, other children around the world in countries like Uzbekistan do not receive these life-saving vaccines," said Nigel Fisher, UNICEF's President and CEO. "That is why this donation and shipment of vaccines is so critical."

Jeremy Shrubbs, Director Business Development, Lifescience, DHL Global Forwarding, Canada, said: "Because the vaccines had to remain in a range between +2°C to +8°C at all times, this shipment was especially challenging. As a result, we engaged LifeConEx, a joint venture with DHL Global Forwarding and Lufthansa Cargo, to ensure the vaccines were safeguarded and maintained complete integrity at each step of the journey."

"We believe commitment to good corporate citizenship is a fundamental part of achieving sustained value creation for both society and our company, and thus to ensuring the future of the work that we do," said Donna Letterio, Country Manager, DHL Global Forwarding, Canada. "A global transportation system is at its best when it can be put to use to help those in need. This is especially true with the holiday season upon us and with the onset of winter weather in Uzbekistan. We are delighted to have supported UNICEF in this important endeavor to help improve the lives of so many of Uzbekistan's children."

For more than a decade, UNICEF has been providing vaccine procurement services in Uzbekistan and is currently assisting the state in professional capacity building to improve safe immunization practices.

Immunization is fundamental to UNICEF's life-saving work across the world. Immunization programs are estimated to have saved over 20 million lives worldwide over the last two decades. Currently, more than 100 million infants are immunized each year around the world and, as a result, over two million lives are saved annually.

According to John Kelsall, President of Health Partners International of Canada, this is just another example of Canadians coming together to help people in need around the world. "It is wonderful to work with generous and effective partners to bring these valuable vaccines to children in Uzbekistan. For many, this will mean the opportunity to thrive and lead productive lives."

About DHL

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. More than 300,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.

DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of 60bn euros in 2006.

About LifeConEx

LifeConEx is a joint venture between DHL Global Forwarding, the world's largest air and ocean freight forwarder, part of Deutsche Post World Net, and Lufthansa Cargo, the leading airfreight cargo company on the international market. LifeConEx is the only industry-specific provider of integrated end-to-end temperature controlled transportation solutions for the life sciences industry ensuring that highly sensitive products are delivered at the right place, at the right time, and in the right condition. LifeConEx offers regulatory compliant process mapping, customized quality agreements, comprehensive 24/7 process and quality control, and technical consulting.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is the world's leader for children, working in 155 countries and territories, to save, protect and enhance the lives of girls and boys. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, promotes quality basic education, protects children from violence, exploitation and AIDS, and is the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing nations. A global leader in emergencies with six decades of on-the-ground experience, UNICEF saves and rebuilds children's lives in natural disasters and conflict. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, schools, associations and governments. Donations can be made online at http://www.unicef.ca, or by mail at UNICEF Canada, 2200 Yonge Street, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M4S 2C6.

http://www.unicef.ca