A Crisis is Just the Beginning

They are among the toughest places on the planet.

Failing states like Somalia and Zimbabwe. Conflict zones like Afghanistan, Congo and Iraq. And countries that have endured natural disasters like Indonesia, Pakistan and Haiti, where a massive earthquake in 2010 killed more than 230,000 people and made life even harder for those who have long struggled just to survive.

In these places, a child’s life is often at risk. A woman’s education is usually ignored. A family’s livelihood is never a sure thing. These conditions threaten the welfare of neighborhoods, towns, provinces, countries and entire regions. In this globalized world our lives are increasingly interdependent, and threats to people 10,000 miles away become threats to us.

To these important and imperiled places Mercy Corps brings relief, recovery and development. For 32 years, we have helped people grappling with the toughest hardships survive — and then thrive. That’s the heart of our approach: We help communities turn crisis into opportunity.

We Support Transformation

Decades of field experience have shown us the most effective ways to support that transformation. We know that communities are the best agents of their own change. We know that local markets are often the fastest, most durable drivers of economic recovery. And we know that traditional development solutions will never adequately address the enormous challenges these communities face.

That’s why Mercy Corps approaches each challenge with an open mind and a bias for action. We listen to local people and prioritize their most urgent needs. We fix gaps to get markets up and running. We bring groups together to negotiate conflicts and strengthen civic participation, in the belief that all development success is built on the foundation of good governance. We think big, start small and take responsible risks to find solutions that benefit the greatest number of people.

Click here to download an overview of Mercy Corps' work, with stories about people who are turning today's crisis into tomorrow's opportunity.