Urban initiatives
Overcrowded and environmentally stressed, today's megacities are home to millions who live in extreme poverty. Mercy Corps works to bring education, health and economic opportunity to families who have fallen through the cracks.
All stories about Urban initiatives
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Iraq: A palpable sense of accomplishment in Baghdad March 9, 2010
On Sunday morning, election day in Iraq, I was awakened by a text message from a colleague telling me to get to a safe spot. Turns out I had slept through the first of dozens of bombs that would occur on election day in Iraq.
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Haiti: Unleashing the Haitian enterprising spirit March 3, 2010
On my recent trip to Haiti, I was filled first with despair and then hope. Despair for the overwhelming human and physical destruction. Hope because of the quiet strength, resilience, and determination of the Haitian people.
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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: Let the children enjoy the world February 15, 2010
It is almost midnight here in Ambon, Indonesia. I’m about going to sleep but I realized that I haven’t visited the Mercy Corps Blog today. Since morning I was too busy at the office completing some work and didn't have any chance to do my everyday ritual — reading the blog.
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Haiti: Displaced and uncertain February 7, 2010
One million people are displaced by the earthquake. There are tent encampments throughout the city. In fact, now every open space is now filled with tents — most often just plastic or sheets on poles.
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Haiti: In Haiti, organization is everything February 6, 2010
I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve always been a community mobilization skeptic.
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Haiti: What the Haitian people still have February 6, 2010
It has meant a lot to me to be back here in Haiti. I had spent some time here 15 years ago and just fell in love with the culture, people, and their artistic and spiritual life.
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Haiti: Sous les belles étoiles January 27, 2010
Today, I heard one of the most beautiful and most heartbreaking things of my life. It’s something I’ll always carry with me — and perhaps the one phrase I’ll attach to my time in Haiti.
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Indonesia: The hands that rock the cradle December 22, 2009
I often wonder how a single city could be so extremely diverse, both economically and socially, as my hometown, Jakarta.