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At Mercy Corps, we’re constantly assessing how we can best support and serve the communities at the heart of our work. Communities are facing some of the greatest challenges of our time—climate change, conflict, and COVID‑19. Farmers across the Horn of Africa are experiencing their driest season. Violence has forced entire communities to flee, from Syria, Iraq, Colombia, and South Sudan. Even though the pandemic is in its second year, only 12% have received at minimum one dose of vaccine according to the United Nations Development Programme. Even though all of our communities around the globe have been affected by crises in recent years, their resilience and perseverance remain. We aim to help them whenever it is necessary. Mercy Corps helps communities around the globe to build peaceful, sustainable livelihoods. Our team members will provide support in even the most difficult situations. We’re working together towards a better tomorrow for all.
Building climate resilience
According to the World Health Organization climate change continues to be the greatest threat for global health. The impact of climate-related shocks, natural disasters, and increasing intensity on the planet is more severe for countries with lower incomes. Our teams around the globe have developed programs to help farmers grow more resilient crops and train communities to be prepared for natural catastrophes. We are focusing on the climate crisis and our merger last year with Energy 4 Impact is critical to expanding our work in increasing access and integrating energy into agricultural development and economic growth, youth employment and climate resilience for the more 800 million people without access to electricity globally.
“Every day I am excited by our work to create sustainable energy solutions and the merger with Mercy Corps will be deeply impactful in reaching more communities,” said Fredrick Tunutu, Energy 4 Impact’s Tanzania country manager. “Together we can help farmers grow more food, schools connect to new technology, and health clinics provide 24-hour care.”
Peace promotion
According to the U.N. According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, more than 84,000,000 people have fled their homes because of persecution, conflict and human rights violations. Conflict and instability lead to weakening economies, decreased food security, and a decrease in public health. According to the World Bank: Communities in conflict are more likely than communities that are stable to experience poverty. The causes of conflict are complex and interconnected—and so are the solutions. Mercy Corps is committed in reducing violence and strengthening the pillars for long-term peace. This commitment is critical to Mercy Corps’ mission to create secure, productive, and just communities, given that Conflict now drives 80% percent of all humanitarian needs.
Building sustainable peace across communities is crucially important for young women and girls. In six states in Nigeria, our team supports discussion groups for and by women, to develop conflict resolution skills that can be applied to their everyday lives—many of these groups have gone on to organize their own peace events to share knowledge on mitigating conflicts. Young people in Syria attend a peacebuilding program called the BINAA project, which means “building the society” or “building relationships” in Arabic, led by a local partner organization to exchange ideas on rebuilding their own society. Programs like this strengthen social cohesion and guide communities towards greater stability. One conversation at time, they create the foundations for lasting peace & stability.
COVID is a community support program.
Mercy Corps has been advocating for more equitable vaccine allocations since the pandemic started almost two years ago. Only 10% of low-income people have had at least one vaccine, compared with 77% of those in wealther countries.. “We’re advocating for equitable distribution of vaccines in Nepal so our communities will have another layer of protection,” said Yugdeep Thapa, Mercy Corps Nepal’s communications specialist, who helped deliver supplies in remote areas to prevent transmission of COVID‑19.
In the last year, we reached 28.7 million people with our COVID‑19 response, which included prevention campaigns, distributing hygiene kits, and raising awareness. Our teams have been flexible in meeting the needs of each community, from providing food security and essential supplies to awarding small businesses cash grants to help them stay afloat during a global crisis. Our core purpose is to keep our communities safe. While COVID‑19 has made it more difficult to rebuild lives and livelihoods, we’re committed to serving our communities through challenging times so we may share a brighter future together.
Join us in building an equitable world.
