Mercy Corps

Although founded in 1979 to provide immediate assistance for refugees fleeing famine and genocide in Cambodia, Mercy Corps has become one of the leading non-governmental providers of long term solutions to poverty worldwide. Having delivered over $1 billion in relief and development assistance throughout its history, Mercy Corps today helps more than 10 million individuals in 39 nations each year. Over 95% of Mercy Corps’ 3900 staff are citizens of the nations it helps.

Mercy Corp’s programs target all dimensions of poverty and are grounded in close partnerships and communication with the communities they benefit. By linking and involving beneficiary communities, Mercy Corps helps alleviate poverty while establishing the stable civil society important for long-term program sustainability. Programs areas include:

Agriculture
Programs provide farmers with quality inputs and training to increase yields and access to markets.
Economic Development & Livelihoods
Programs provide vocational training, access to loans for business start-up, increased investment opportunities, and training in business plan development as well as marketing.
Education
Programs build and rehabilitate schools, allay attendance fees, enhance quality of teaching and tutoring, and provide vocational training.
Emergency & Conflict Relief
Programs provide immediate support for communities in natural or political crises, while also bridging communities to allay future resource- or ethnically-driven conflicts.
Environment & Climate Change
Programs disseminate innovative and renewable energy solutions by creating opportunities for the poor in local energy markets, while also promoting ecological conservation in agriculture and waste management practices.
Health & Nutrition
Programs provide training to increase cultivation for household food needs; increase access to maternal, newborn, and child health; and assist in prevention, advocacy, and support for people living with HIV.
Vulnerable Peoples
Programs fight sex-trafficking; ensure education and health for orphans; promote economic and social opportunities for the disabled and discriminated; and provide wide-ranging support for displaced peoples.
Water & Sanitation
Programs lay new infrastructure and develop market-based solutions for clean water and sanitation, while also providing training and tools for

With such an array of programs, Mercy Corps nevertheless demonstrates strong financial responsibility and transparency. Of $197.6 million total expenses in 2009, 87.1% went toward international health and development programs, with the remaining 12.9% toward fundraising and administration.

Help Support the work of Mercy Corps around the world.