Our work
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Emergency response: Ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has uprooted millions. We're helping families through the chaos by supplying water to overcrowded displacement camps and building a permanent water network in the region's largest city. Photo: Gerry Ellis for Mercy Corps -
Food security: Hunger in Nepal has reached "alarming" levels, according to the latest Global Hunger Index. Seed distributions and farmer trainings are helping families grow more staple grains as well as cash crops like chilies, cucumbers and onions. Photo: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps -
Economic opportunity: Women in Afghanistan have endured severe repression. Our vocational school in Helmand is the first to enroll women in the region, teaching job skills like tailoring, embroidery, English and IT. Photo: Toni Greaves for Mercy Corps -
Innovations: Sixty percent of Guatemalans lack access to basic healthcare. We developed a microfranchising model of community-run village pharmacies in rural areas, then transferred ownership to a for-profit to scale the idea throughout the country. Photo: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps
We believe
- Communities are the best agents of their own change.
- Local markets are the best engines of sustainable recovery.
- Success is built on the foundation of good governance.
Our strategy for change
- Focus on places in transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval or economic collapse present opportunities to challenge the status quo and build more secure, productive and just communities.
- Provide emergency relief in times of crisis, then move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks.
- Promote sustainable change by supporting initiatives that are community-led, market-driven and promote good governance.
- Seek innovation that creates major breakthroughs against poverty and lasting change in the places we work.