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: The Next Steps to Haiti's Recovery March 1, 2010
In the devastated but proud neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, thousands of people have organized into local committees to help manage, guide and pitch in for what needs to be done in their communities. They are Mercy Corps' partners in the critical work of recovery and rebuilding.
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Haiti: How we’ll help transform Haiti February 25, 2010
In the late afternoon of January 12, 2010, Haiti had a heart attack when an earthquake struck Port-au-Prince — the country’s political, cultural and financial capital.
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Indonesia: Now it’s time to trade February 23, 2010
"Going to shop for your everyday needs — rice, vegetables, fruit, fish, meat, spices, various food...please visit PASAI TANI!"
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Lebanon: Transparency and accountability...in businesses? In Lebanon? February 22, 2010
I hate microphones. It generally means I am speaking to so many people that it too impersonal or too important.
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Haiti: Pay day February 22, 2010
Last Friday was pay day. After putting in five days of work clearing debris and repairing basic infrastructure, 119 participants in Mercy Corps’ cash-for-work program here in Port-au-Prince patiently lined up at Impasse Dorcé and waited their turn to get paid.
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Haiti: The Haitian Mr. Bean February 18, 2010
This is Joseph Moїse. He’s 34 years old and a native of Pétionville. Before the earthquake he was a teacher and now he’s a cash-for-work participant with Mercy Corps — but what he really wants to do is direct.
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Haiti: Video: Cleaning up Petionville, Haiti February 17, 2010
Here's a video from my visit to one of Mercy Corps' cash-for-work sites today.
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Haiti: A study in contrasts February 12, 2010
In many ways, Haiti is a study in contrasts. Here in Petionville, houses lay in ruins while directly next door a brightly painted Yamaha dealership sits undamaged. Amid concrete rubble and twisted rebar, children run and play and smile.
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Uganda: Strengthening our ability to promote stability February 8, 2010
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Haiti: Watching Jet Li in Haiti February 7, 2010
The small town of Mirebalais has been overrun by 16,000 people who fled Port-au-Prince, one hour to the south, after the January 12 earthquake. This out-migration has more than doubled the size of Mirebalais, further straining the resources of an already dirt-poor town.