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Dear friend, The situation on the ground in Gaza and Ukraine is more fragile than ever before. In Gaza, the flow of aid and electricity has been cut off, plunging civilians back into crisis as conflict resumes. In Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis remains dire as innocent civilians perish and key infrastructure is reduced to rubble after three years of war. Mercy Corps teams and partners are working tirelessly to respond to the urgent needs of families and communities who have been severely impacted by conflict. Even as foreign aid funding gets cut, casualties rise and the number of people needing humanitarian assistance increases, we’re filling the gap and delivering lifesaving and life-sustaining aid. Please read further to learn about our work in this critical moment — and if you’re ready to show up for and help effectively respond to families in need in 40+ countries amid this moment of uncertainty, consider making your first gift of whatever you can afford to Mercy Corps today.
Beit Hanoun, a town at the far northern edge of Gaza right on the border, barely exists today. Nearly 95% of the town has been completely wiped out, either reduced to rubble by airstrikes or bulldozed. The infrastructure is shattered beyond recognition. Roads are impassable, the electrical grid is destroyed, and essential pipelines for drinking water and sewage no longer exist.
The recent six-week pause in hostilities brought hope and relief to millions of people in Gaza. Families were reunited, others began to rebuild, and critical aid finally landed in hard-to-reach places where it was desperately needed. During that time, Mercy Corps was able to provide critical food and hygiene kits to over 32,000 people in the region. Families were able to eat, take care of basic necessities, and experience peace for a short while. But after aid entry into Gaza has been halted and the recent Israeli bombardment of Gaza, that precarious hope is nearly severed. More than 400 Palestinians have been killed in the resumption of violence, with many still buried beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. Mercy Corps Chief Executive Officer Tjada D’Oyen McKenna said, "Hundreds of people, most of them women and children, have been killed. Entire families have been wiped out. This renewed suffering after weeks of hope is unconscionable. " "The world cannot stand by while Gaza becomes a graveyard yet again. A sustained ceasefire is the only solution. All parties must immediately commit to ending this war, releasing all remaining hostages, and engaging in a meaningful process to ensure lasting peace and security for civilians on all sides."
September 2024, Kherson region, Ukraine. Valentyna*, 24, holds her son Oleh* after they received an emergency kit from Mercy Corps and its local partner organization. The kit includes childcare essentials such as diapers, baby lotion, baby powder, wet wipes, and children’s shampoo. *Name has been changed for safety.
In Ukraine, humanitarian needs continue to grow as the ongoing full-scale war approaches its fourth year. Since 2022, more than 6.8 million people have fled the country, while another 4 million remain in Ukraine, but have been forced from their homes. Mercy Corps and partners have been responding to the urgent needs and providing critical aid to Ukrainian families. Our work has reached more than 860,000 people in Ukraine and neighboring countries who have been affected by the conflict. Mercy Corps is again calling on U.S. and global leaders to renew their commitment to humanitarian aid for Ukraine and its path to recovery and reconstruction. As we continue to respond to the growing needs of families, your gift today can make a difference. It will help deliver critical aid to impacted families in Gaza, Ukraine, and 40+ countries around the world. Please consider making your first donation today.
The Mercy Corps team |
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