Economic opportunity
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Photo: Sean Sheridan for Mercy Corps
Markets, whether large or small, keep communities thriving. But conflicts, disasters and a lack of infrastructure can prevent people from conducting the daily transactions on which all growth and progress depend. Around the world, Mercy Corps discovers why commerce is stuck.
In some places, manufacturers need loans to purchase equipment and young people desire job skills. In others, key transportation routes to market must be rebuilt or farmers require better storage to keep their inventory fresh until sold.
Our economic development projects provide financing, equipment, training or technical support. These projects help people find jobs, build their businesses, supply their communities with the goods they need —and improve their lives.
All stories about Economic opportunity
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Haiti: What cash-for-work has (and hasn't) done for Haiti December 6, 2010
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Haiti: Assessing Mercy Corps' cash-for-work program in Haiti December 6, 2010
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Afghanistan: When entrepreneurs need a boost December 2, 2010
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Haiti: Testing out mobile money in Haiti November 30, 2010
Jokebed Auguste, 31, and Benita Bellevue, 29, walk side by side as we make our way to the Market St. Pierre, a local convenience store in Mirebalais.
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Kenya: Let the festivities begin! November 22, 2010
The other day on my Facebook wall, I wrote "Merry Christmas" and most of my friends told me that it was premature and way before time. But I differ with them. Reason: it’s the season of giving.
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Philippines: Texting her way to a better business November 19, 2010
San Miguel is a bustling neighborhood in the center of Manila, home to many of the jeepney drivers and low-wage laborers that make up the city’s poor.
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Haiti: Venturing to Haiti November 19, 2010
I recently had the opportunity to join a trip to Haiti led by Linda Mason, Chair of the Board of Mercy Corps. This is a very impressive and worthy organization on which I will elaborate later.
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Afghanistan: Searching for the next Frank Perdue November 15, 2010
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Tajikistan: Turning water into cash November 15, 2010
“For the last three years, my yields have been 30 percent of what they were before,” says Sabur Kumischev, as he makes a sweeping motion with his hand indicating the land where his crops are grown. “All I could grow was corn. The other farmers could only grow corn.
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Afghanistan: Better than meeting Springsteen November 11, 2010
Some people are thrilled to meet rock stars or celebrities. I, on the other hand, get really excited about meeting grape growers.