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Mercy Corps is an organization founded to assist the Cambodian Refugees who were fleeing the country to escape from the famine, genocide and war. It was started by Dan O’Neill and was named Save the Refugees Fund which later on went on to become Mercy Corps International in the year 1982. After the objective in Cambodia was finished, they shifted their focus towards providing long term solutions to poverty and hunger. Their first project in this regard began in the year 1982 in Honduras. Now Mercy Corps International has become a global aid and relief agency which assists the people affected by natural disaster, conflicts, economic meltdown etc. They bring in aid for the needy and also help people rebuild the economy with different programs there by laying the foundation for a long term recovery. Mercy Corps take care of the affected areas for a long period of time and in the process of helping in recovery it also fosters local entrepreneurship, stimulates the markets and rebuilds the social capital. Mercy Corps has provided about 2 billion USD as assistance in more than 100 countries around the world. Mercy Corps employs around 4000 employees and operates in more than 40 countries.
The headquarters of Mercy Corps International is based in Portland, Oregon. Mercy Corps Northwest works towards development of the US economy by assisting the low income individuals procure loans and help funding entrepreneurs in carrying out their business plans . It also assists existing business by providing them capital and helps create more jobs.
Mercy Corps, for its efficiency figures in the list of Charity Navigator’s 3 star charity choice. The organization is a recipient of various awards and recognition from around the world. It has been conferred with ‘Sitara-e-Eisaar’ award by the president of Pakistan for the relief efforts after the Kashmir Earthquake. The ‘Friendship Medal’ by North Korea, Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity award by the Arab Institute and many more.
