"We are relying on the kind people who have given food to us on the island. Without these donations we would have nothing to eat. Thank you for coming to us… We are just trying to survive here."
—Hani Pinton, mother of two
On remote Kinatarcan Island, devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, families had been waiting days for help to arrive. In the aftermath of the historic storm, there's no potable water, no electricity, and 75% of homes are critically damaged or completely destroyed.
But because of your past support to this project, Mercy Corps was able to mobilize quickly and our emergency response team was the first to reach this isolated island. Your generosity made it possible for us to distribute essential food packages to residents in the fishing village of Barangay Langub. Because of you, mothers of newborn babies were given towels and blankets. Because of you, children now have safe water to drink.
See firsthand how your donation is making a difference for thousands of Typhoon Haiyan survivors in this short video.
Watch your thank you video!
Mercy Corps' team of seasoned emergency responders is focused on identifying gaps in assistance and reaching survivors in remote locations who have yet to receive critical help. While we address the immediate humanitarian needs, we are also working to help families begin rebuilding for the long term.
None of this would be possible without your generous support.
On behalf of families in the Philippines and around the world, thank you for being there.
If you'd like donate directly to our GlobalGiving Philippines project page or learn more about our progress with improving lives, click here.
Sincerely,
Dan O’Neill
Mercy Corps Founder
Links:
Thank you for your support. Because you have put your caring into action, we are able to make a positive impact on families' lives around the world; from protecting refugee children in Lebanon and Jordan to helping thousands survive a hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. To show our appreciation, we'd like to share a video depicting the incredible work you accomplish with your contribution.
See it here!
Together, we help people turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve.
On behalf of the families you help around the world - thank you.
In gratitude,
Carlene Deits
As the number of Syrians forced to flee the country's civil war continues to rapidly grow, one number stays the same — over half of them are children.
There are now one million Syrian refugee children. And every day, thousands more are ripped from their homes and schools, left with painful memories of violence and confusion over what they've lost.
Mercy Corps has been focused on protecting these young refugees since the start of the crisis. We've created safe spaces and developed constructive activities where they can heal from trauma, build friendships and develop critical life skills. We are helping meet their families' basic needs, while continually finding new ways to ensure their emotional health and development are not forgotten.
Because of you, Fadi Kaheel, 11, along with other Syrian refugee children in the neighboring country of Lebanon, participated in a recent photography workshop, part of our Moving Forward program there.
The goal is to help young Syrian refugees — most of whom feel scared and isolated — integrate into their new community and develop self-esteem, teamwork and coping skills by participating with Lebanese kids in sports, support groups, and creative projects like theater, filmmaking and photojournalism.
During the photography workshops in particular, the youth learn not only the basics of capturing an image, but how to take an active role in their new lives in Lebanon. Through learning, engaging with their peers and documenting their surroundings, the children learn that each new day can be meaningful even as they wait to return to their lives in Syria.
Fadi heard about Mercy Corps’ Moving Forward photography workshop from his aunt and sister. “I was so excited because I was going to learn something new,” he says. For Fadi, the photography workshop also meant making new friends and gaining a deeper understanding of his host community in Lebanon.
Fadi originally fought with the Lebanese kids in his class because they didn’t understand each other. His instructor taught him how to be calm and better handle the conflict, and by the end of the workshop they had all become friends.
By connecting with others he learned more about Lebanon and started to feel like part of the community. “Sometimes we need to look at different communities and see them and experience them,” says Fadi. Now, with a better understanding of his host community, he is happier in his new home.
Now that he has completed the workshop, Fadi wants to photograph his family events. And he might teach other kids what he has learned. “I think it would be a good thing to give my knowledge to younger people,” he says.
Thank you for joining Mercy Corps to create safe spaces for young refugees like Fadi and for providing the support and protection they need to emerge from crisis and find hope for the future. Together, we can continue to turn the crises families confront into opportunities to thrive.
With Gratitude,
Carlene Deits
Links:
Two years ago, the Horn of Africa experienced the worst drought in 60 years. There was no rainfall in southeastern Ethiopia and the land dried up across the entire region.
But today there are signs of recovery.
Pastures, previously cracked and barren, are slowly sprouting new growth and animals are grazing and growing stronger. We have been working in rural Ethiopia to make sure farmers and herding families have the resources they need to build back through their livestock, food stores and markets.
One woman, Fatumo Ahmed, relies on her camels to support her family. Camel milk, full of protein and nutrients, can last one month without refrigeration. Fatumo is able to keep her camels healthy and productive through the veterinary care and proper hygiene advice Mercy Corps provides. And with a better quality product, Fatumo can now take milk to a collection center in the village where she connects with market vendors who pay higher prices for the milk.
Because of you, Fatumo and her fellow milk producers have something to celebrate after a long hardship of drought. Listen to them singing at Mercy Corps’ local collection center last month.
Thank you for helping turn crisis into opportunity for the people of the Horn of Africa. It's ongoing support like yours that makes our work possible.
With gratitude,
Carlene Deits
Links:
If you're a girl in many parts of the world, the odds are stacked against you.
But these odds can change.
Mercy Corps has a mission to educate and empower girls to end poverty in places like Afghanistan, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic.
Here's a snapshot of what we've been able to accomplish:
When we invest in a girl through education, we give her a chance to succeed. And we set in motion a change that lasts for generations. Thanks to your support, we are providing opportunity and hope to these girls!
See more of what a girl can do today.
With gratitude,
Carlene Deits
Links:
Project Reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you will get an e-mail when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports via e-mail without donating.
We'll only email you new reports and updates about this project.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
Make a monthly donation & get 
