Mercy Corps’ Post

Our staff are taking over our LinkedIn feed to share their professional “summer camp” ⛺ 🛶 activities! GKI Senior Manager Natalia reported back from last week’s InterAction Forum and had this to say: "The sessions on localizing humanitarian and development activities reminded me of the paramount need (and desire) to cultivate genuine relationships. Relationships hinge on trust, and trust takes time. It's not only about shifting resources to local organizations but also about adopting a different mindset, such as embracing a slower pace and not rushing the process. Funders need to take this into account. Implementers need to take this into account. Be intentional about how we're engaging and getting to know our local counterparts. Relationships are a two-way street requiring constant attention and effort."

🌍 Stand with African Farmers! Sahel Aid's letter to Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts opposing the American Farmers Feed the World Act. This bill undermines African farmers. It directly challenges the livelihoods of local Sahelian farmers, further destabilizing an already vulnerable economy. Instead of bolstering self-sufficiency, this act hinders it, creating dependence rather than empowerment. Echoing our concerns, Professor Lora Iannotti, a respected nutrition and public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, aptly describes the situation: "It's a facade of doing good." This brief statement captures the underlying issues of such policies that, while designed to aid, can inadvertently do more harm than good. #africandiaspora #uscongress #sahel

🌍 Stand with African Farmers! Sahel Aid's letter to Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts opposing the American Farmers Feed the World Act. This bill undermines African farmers. It directly challenges the livelihoods of local Sahelian farmers, further destabilizing an already vulnerable economy. Instead of bolstering self-sufficiency, this act hinders it, creating dependence rather than empowerment. Echoing our concerns, Professor Lora Iannotti, a respected nutrition and public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, aptly describes the situation: "It's a facade of doing good." This brief statement captures the underlying issues of such policies that, while designed to aid, can inadvertently do more harm than good. #africandiaspora #uscongress #sahel #farmingforthefuture

Knowledge is power, and joint action save lives and protects livelihoods. #GNAFC Head of Country Engagement, Hugh MacLeman, discusses the importance of #AnticipatoryAction in this blog from Anticipation Hub 🔗bit.ly/AA_Blog

Vulnerable children sit at the crux of multiple compounding crises and conflict globally including poverty, conflict, climate change, and more. The United States Government has come together to develop an interagency approach to promote children’s safety, well-being, and development globally through the #ThriveStrategy. With USAID taking the lead, we hope to see strengthened commitment to #ChildrenInAdversity across the government and in USAID programming worldwide. Learn more about the strategy ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g_WBHtHW

Our own Hannah Chargin leading a bipartisan briefing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee! As our Senior Policy Advisor for Food Security, Hannah is working to strengthen the #FarmBill and protect provisions that give communities the tools they need to end child hunger. At a time when hunger is on the rise, we have to stay the course by 1) meeting immediate needs and by 2) tackling the root causes of hunger. Discover more about the Farm Bill and how your advocacy can make a difference: https://lnkd.in/gJdYDJEi #WVAdvocacy

The humanitarian crisis in #Haiti is worsening by the day as skyrocketing violence, hunger, and insecurity create a nightmare for civilians. In our latest Policy & Advocacy report, Policy Analyst Victoria Walker details the situation and how it impacts Haiti's children. Read the one pager below and click here: https://bit.ly/3sddUGo to read the full report.

Peace in their homes, peace in their communities and peace in our world 🕊️ That's what women and girls affected by conflict need. See how the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is taking action for #OurCommonFuture: https://unf.pa/hum #ICPD30

Grateful for the opportunity to open and close another event in USCB's "Standing in Solidarity" series, highlighting the realities and needs of displaced populations in #Burma's #KarenState , #KachinState , and #MonState. I provided background on current conditions, allowing speakers to expand on the news and share insights from the ground. I closed with a call to action, urging collaboration with on-the-ground #humanitarian groups to deliver aid and avoid legitimizing the #Burmesejunta. Some key points I want to spotlight: 📍Karen State: In June alone, the junta dropped ~588 bombs and used 72 drone-deployed explosives in Hpapun township. 📍Mon state: Reports of severe human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, killings, and systematic looting by junta soldiers 📍Kachin state: Facing similar conditions that are compounded by recent severe flooding and complete communication blackouts. 📍2024 estimates show over 211,000 displaced in Karen state, over 111,000 in Kachin, and over 80,000 in Mon. 📍The military’s Four Cuts strategy - cutting off food sources, funds, information and recruits - is severely impacting civilians' livelihoods across multiple states 📍The Burmese junta continues to obstruct aid, and we must not legitimize them through collaboration. Engage with local efforts to make a difference! -- 🎞️ Watch the full video to hear more from our insightful speakers working directly on the ground in Karen, Kachin, and Mon states, and join us in standing in solidarity with Burma's displaced communities: https://lnkd.in/e7wwt984

📝 RESEARCH: In the Central African Republic, communities often exercise considerable influence over armed actors. Too often, external interventions – in particular from the government or humanitarian organisations – undermine and frustrate these community-level efforts.     Recent findings by Véronique Barbelet, Martine Kessy Ekomo-Soignet and Marina Clarisse YIDONG explore community engagement and influence with armed actors in the CAR, and how it can prevent and reduce violence and risk. It’s a must-read, take a look: https://lnkd.in/eyWT7Q8d #CentralAfricanRepublic #CommunityEngagement #ViolencePrevention #RiskManagement