This past March marked the deadliest month since the conflict in Syria began two years ago. More than 6,000 people were killed as the violence escalated. The security situation and government restrictions has limited humanitarian assistance to affected populations, resulting in a grave situation. Over 1,300,000 Syrians are now refugees, seeking safety in neighboring countries.
Mercy Corps is working to meet the needs of at least 500,000 Syrian refugees in its programs in Jordan and Lebanon. One of our top priorities for the last several months has been helping refugees keep warm throughout the winter. As the region transitions to spring, we have shifted more of our efforts toward conflict mitigation, as the war drags on and the number of refugees strains the resources of host countries.
Thanks to you, we are also continuing to provide comfort to Syrian children living in host communities in Lebanon and in refugee camps in Jordan. Syrian refugee children need a renewed sense of normalcy in order to mitigate the effects of the conflict around them. In both Jordan and Lebanon we are increasing psychosocial support as well as building child-safe spaces where they can play. Come see how important these playgrounds are and how they have helped the refugee children cope in this photo essay.
With no end in sight for the conflict in Syria, it is essential we remain in this region to help the citizens affected. And because of you, we are able to do that. We cannot thank you enough for continuing to care about the refugees of Syria.
With gratitude,
Carlene Deits
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I’m getting in touch with you because there has been another devastating earthquake in China. A magnitude 7.0 quake struck the Sichuan region on April 20th, and the damage has been extensive. At least 196 citizens were killed, 14,000 injured, and hundreds of thousands are now displaced.
Mercy Corps and The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) are working to provide water, sanitation solutions and to protect children's emotional well being. Together we have already started providing water and emergency items to hard-hit villages. At the same time, we are completing more detailed assessments of displacement camps to develop locally appropriate solutions for things like clean water storage.To help the youngest victims of the earthquake recover from psychological trauma, CFPA and Mercy Corps plan to implement the signature Comfort for Kids program - developed during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake - because of you.
We know you helped in the last earthquake disaster, and we’re calling on you to support this region again. It’s people like you who help get these citizens back on their feet quicker. To make a difference for those affected in the Sichuan province, go to our Global Giving page today.
Thank you for all your contributions in 2008, and we look forward to your continued support!
With gratitude,
Minda Seibert
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This week, thanks to you, our teams in Haiti and the communities they are working with have a reason to celebrate Earth Day!
The damage done by the 2010 earthquake and the storms since then has been devastating in this region. Today, less than 2% of the land is forested and the resulting soil erosion has led to landslides, floods and crop failures. Because of these conditions, communities have struggled to make a living as they rely on the mountains and the land.
But because of your generosity, Mercy Corps has been able to establish a reforestation program to help bring these mountains back to life. We are providing farmers and community members trees to plant to aid the reconstruction process. As one Haitian woman exclaimed, "We're making the mountains the way they were before."
And now we want to share what this life-changing work looks like in this short, fun and upbeat video for you! Check out the people you are helping!
Thank you again for continuing to care about the people of Haiti.
With gratitude,
Carlene Deits
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