PORTLAND, Ore., March 26, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The
global organization Mercy Corps is issuing an urgent call for
$25 million USD to protect the
ongoing delivery of lifesaving aid and to meet the needs of tens of
millions of vulnerable people around the world whose lives and
livelihoods are most threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The call for assistance follows the United Nations' newly
launched $2 billion global
humanitarian response plan to fight COVID-19 in some of the world's
most vulnerable countries in a bid to protect millions of people
and prevent the virus' continued global spread.
"Our global response to this crisis is only as strong as its
weakest link," says Beth deHamel, interim Chief Executive Officer
for Mercy Corps. "Donors must urgently provide flexible funding for
frontline efforts by Mercy Corps and others to protect vulnerable
people, meet their most immediate needs and prepare for the
worldwide economic shock of Coronavirus. This emergency is
unprecedented in our lifetime, and requires a never-before-seen
effort - starting now, and continuing over the months to come."
Mercy Corps' $25 million COVID-19
Resilience Fund will:
- Protect against COVID-19. In Northwest Syria, Mercy Corps is providing
clean water and soap to families to help prevent the spread of the
disease as much as possible in cramped and unsanitary conditions.
In Pakistan, Mercy Corps is
providing personal protective equipment and information on how
medical teams and the public can protect themselves and reduce the
spread of COVID-19.
- Meet immediate needs. As greater restrictions are placed on the
daily interactions and trading that millions of people rely on to
survive, Mercy Corps is supporting families and communities to meet
their most urgent needs. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, we are providing
small amounts of cash to 15,000 vulnerable families to purchase
urgently needed items including food, soap and health care.
- Prepare for economic shock. No country's economy will be spared
from the combined impact of the global recession, restriction
measures and Coronavirus itself. Mercy Corps is drawing on decades
of experience helping communities to survive and recover from the
economic impact of crisis to support small-holders and small
businesses through this emergency.
Mercy Corps is partnering with governments, corporations,
foundations, international institutions and individual donors to
unlock the power and innovation of a global humanitarian
community.
Anyone can donate to Mercy Corps' efforts to provide emergency
support to vulnerable families and communities during this crisis
and beyond.
SOURCE Mercy Corps