WHO WE ARE
Mercy Relief (MR) is an independent non-governmental humanitarian charity, established in response to the human tragedies in Asia. It aims to promote a civic life of compassion, care and volunteerism amongst Man. Its aid programmes include providing timely and effective assistance to disaster-stricken locations; and longer-term developmental projects to uplift the lives of impoverished and disadvantaged communities, focusing on water & sanitation, shelter, healthcare, basic education and sustainable livelihoods.
A trim outfit with a big heart and a grand vision, MR believes that by improving the lives of the poor, they will be less vulnerable and better equipped to deal with natural disasters.
We may be small, but we are people with passion and a strong belief that every individual can make a difference.
OUR MISSION
MR seeks to go beyond piecemeal disaster relief efforts towards a holistic preventive approach to aid. This includes boosting livelihoods and building capacities in poor communities, so that they are more equipped to deal with natural disasters. The poorer the community, the more vulnerable it is to the effects of climate change and natural disasters. The latest 2008 World Bank survey showed that more people are living in extreme poverty in developing countries. Therefore, MR wants to address the root causes of poverty before disaster strikes.
OVERSEAS
MR aims to boost the resilience of impoverished communities in the region through capacity building projects in water, sanitation, sustainable livelihoods, education and healthcare. Instead of waiting for natural disasters to strike, MR’s development projects seek to boost the ability of the poor to deal with environmental hazards, thereby reducing the loss life, property and livelihoods.
When natural disasters do strike, MR will be at the frontline of emergency relief efforts and strive to bring timely medical and logistical aid to disaster hit areas.
HOME GROUND
MR wants to broadcast Singapore as a first class society with a heart for humanity. Through our work overseas, we aim to promote volunteerism, compassion and civic-mindedness among Singaporeans. By creating opportunities for Singaporeans to ventilate their compassion we hope to increase awareness through their lived experience.
GOING FORWARD
MR is starting an initiative to build a “network for action” with local and international organizations in disaster-prone countries. This coalition of NGOs will facilitate faster response to natural disasters and reduce logistical inefficiencies and duplication of aid and resources.
OUR VALUES
MR is a secular and multi-racial organization, extending humanitarian services to all regardless of country, culture or creed.
MR seeks to influence and not impose on aid-recipients. We do not see them as passive recipients of aid, but partners and co-workers in our developmental efforts.
MODUS OPERANDI
In disaster relief, it is the MR policy to personally administer, inspect and distribute aid supplies to disaster victims. This is to ensure that our aid is not used for other purposes and is indeed supplied to the people who need them.
In our development projects, targeted at addressing the root causes of poverty, MR’s policy is to engage the locals from the start to finish of the project. This includes locals at the community and governmental level. The contribution of ‘sweat equity’ by the locals is also important to instill a sense of ownership over the project. MR takes local cultural sensitivities very seriously in all our projects. As we do not impose but influence the locals, they must be convinced that this is a project for them, by them.
MR is committed to partnering all like-minded governmental and non-governmental agencies and institutions, corporations and individuals, both in Singapore and overseas. We believe that anyone can be a partner and co-worker in MR’s efforts to reduce poverty and improve lives in the region.
