In 2008, Mercy Relief (MR) launched its International Development (ID) Programme to provide a more structured engagement and assistance to the poor and vulnerable communities, so they can break out of their poverty cycle. The ID Programme complements MR’s International Relief Programme, for developed communities equipped with better resources are able to respond better to crises, including natural disasters. Designed to address the long-term developmental needs of the poor, the emphasis is on capacity building, inculcating self-reliance and sustainability, and empowering beneficiaries to transform their environment for a better quality of life. MR takes into consideration the actual needs of local community, with a focus on five core, inter-related areas:
Education
Creating or enabling access to better education is often one of the most effective ways to combat chronic poverty. Improving educational infrastructures, building better and more effective educational resources, enabling children from impoverished families to go back to schools or to continue education, and enhancing teachers’ skills and knowledge are all possible areas for intervention.
Healthcare
Lack of access to decent healthcare poses a major obstacle to overcoming poverty. Enhancing healthcare infrastructures and systems, reducing the burden of disease, and strengthening skills and knowledge of healthcare workers can improve life expectancy and the quality of life.
Shelter
Following a disaster, it is crucial that survivors are able to put their derailed lives back on track. By rebuilding homes, schools, and transportation routes as quickly as possible, people will be able to regain some normalcy in their lives.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Building sustainable livelihoods can help reduce poverty. Livelihood programmes help ensure that locals can make a sustained living and thus empower them to move out of poverty.
Water & Sanitation
Improving access to adequate safe drinking water, providing sanitary disposal of excreta and inculcating sound hygiene behaviour are of vital importance in the effort to reduce the burden of disease and poverty.
MERCY RELIEF’S DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN:
