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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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March
2006
Volume
10 - Number 2 |
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Mercy Corps is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that exists “to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.” Originally created in 1979 as Save the Refugees Fund to assist Cambodians escaping the “Killing Fields,” the organization has expanded the missions and activities from simply providing relief assistance to focusing on long-term solutions to hunger and poverty. The first development project began in Honduras in 1982. Since then, Mercy Corps has grown and evolved, gaining national and international recognition for quick-response, high-impact, cost-effective programs around the globe. This includes support to 74 nations across the world, more than $1 billion in relief and development assistance, including food, shelter, health care, agriculture, water and sanitation, education and small business loans. Mercy Corps helps more than seven million people each year recover from disasters, build stronger communities and find their own solutions to poverty. It has been an international leader in responding to the massive tragedy of the Indian Ocean tsunami, war in Afghanistan, massive food shortages in North Korea, ethnic conflict in the Balkans and economic transitions in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Mercy Corps was among the first humanitarian groups to use relief and development programs to strengthen civil society. Simply handing out food, building a school or immunizing a child is not enough - especially in countries torn by ethnic conflict and economic transition. Just a few weeks of armed conflict can destroy roads, schools, businesses and health systems that took years of traditional development work to build. Mercy Corps is committed to good stewardship of the gifts entrusted to us. Our work is made possible through the generosity of thousands of caring individuals, corporations, foundations, faith communities and other donors. Mercy Corps consistently ranks as one of America's most effective and efficient charitable organizations. (From the Mercy Corps Overview, http://www.mercycorps.org/aboutus/overview ) The resources of Mercy Corps’ global operations totaled nearly $154.3 millionin fiscal year 2004. Material aid, government grants, and private fundraising provided significant relief and development assistance. Some 92.03 percent of resources were directed to programs. (Mercy Corps 2004 Annual Report, http://www.mercycorps.org/files/file1138136724.pdf ) A Sampling of Programs and Activities United States – Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, provided immediate food and water relief, investing in reconstruction projects, providing “Comfort Kits” to children. Afghanistan – Involved since 1986, focus on agricultural and economic development (for example, a quality seed program). Colombia – For indigenous displaced persons, psycho-social assistance for the construction of a life plan for the displaced families, promotion of education intended to generate competitiveness for employment, sexual and reproductive education, generation of income, employment and productivity for improved economic development, food security, and improvement of health and basic sanitation services. Tajikistan - preventing conflict, promoting healthy women and children, delivering safe drinking water, increasing food production and access, and supporting women entrepreneurs. Ethiopia - West Hararge Livestock Program, conflict prevention and resolution in the Southern Nationalities Nations People's Region Serbia - Economic opportunities, civic participation, civil and economic infrastructure, environment, and IDP/Refugee Income Generation Grant Project. |