http://www.mercycorps.org/ The Latest Mercy Corps Civil Society Content en-us (c) 2007 Mercy Corps http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:59:01 -0700 Charity Mercy Corps In-house CMS 60 http://www.mercycorps.org/ /images/donate/mercy_logo_red.gif http://www.mercycorps.org/ 136 48 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/iraq/2232/ NBC's Ned Colt reports the story of Tiana Tozer, a Mercy Corps staffer in the Middle East who is making a difference in the lives of disabled Iraqis — and advocating for their rights in a changing country. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:01:42 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/civilsociety/2095/ Ask your U.S. Representative to support community development and grassroots democracy in Iraq. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:20:24 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/kosovo/2053/ For almost a decade, Mercy Corps has been working with families, communities, local government agencies and partner organizations to facilitate the return of families who wish to go home. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:27:12 -0800 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/somalia/2016/ Mercy Corps' work in Somalia ranges from helping fishermen increase their yields to teaching new conflict-management skills to building vital transportation links. In three districts of southern Somalia, a major Mercy Corps "cash-for-work" program is giving people the opportunity to earn money; helping communities build and repair infrastructure; and teaching local groups to set priorities, make plans and implement projects in the absence of strong government support. Inherent in all this work is a fundamental question for all international actors in Somalia: How do you help a failed state succeed? Since the collapse of President Siad Barre's government in 1991, Somalia has been seen as the quintessential failed state. The country, a boomerang-shaped rim along the Horn of Africa, has struggled to establish a stable government, maintain law and order, and improve the difficult living conditions most of its inhabitants endure. Economic growth is anemic outside the country's surprisingly strong service sector in urban areas. Infrastructure has been decimated. Only about one in 10 Somali children attend school. For many Americans, mention of Somalia conjures up images of "Black Hawk Down," the 1993 incident — chronicled in Mark Bowden's bestselling book and later adapted into a Hollywood movie — where Mogadishu militias killed 18 U.S. soldiers who were part of a multinational peacekeeping operation. International attention went elsewhere, but the chaos continued. Today Somalia can be considered one of the world's "silent disasters." What is labeled "Somalia" on today's world map is actually composed of three relatively autonomous regions: Somaliland, a former British colony in the northwest of Somalia, has declared that it considers itself distinct from the rest of Somalia. The region has its own system of governance and is seeking recognition from the international community as an independent nation. Puntland, in the northeast of the country, has also established its own political system, though it considers itself part of a federated Somalia and its elected leader serves as part of the country's Transitional Federal Government. Then there's the rest of Somalia, the south and south-central parts of the country. It is this area where competing clans struggle for control, where kids only dream of attending school, where infrastructure is crumbling from 15 years of war and neglect. And this is where this story of Mercy Corps' newest project in Somalia begins. Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:42:42 -0800 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/somalia/2013/ An ethnic Somali, Abdikadir Mohamed has served as Mercy Corps' top representative in Somalia since June 2006. Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:44:47 -0800 http://www.mercycorps.org/donate/materialaid/2006/ How do you get the community to take notice of a group of persons who simply seek social inclusion? Invite them for a walk. Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:32:30 -0800 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/srilanka/1742/ Mercy Corps is helping Sri Lankan families from different income levels and ethnic backgrounds to find gainful and sustainable employment. Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:44:37 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/women/1735/ After years of post-conflict displacement, a Bosnian mother and her young son find a new home through Mercy Corps. Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:27:54 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/civilsociety/1727/ Tjak Tohata and his family were getting used to staying in a barn - but Mercy Corps helped them return home. Thu, 24 May 2007 10:42:09 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/srilanka/1676/ Tsunami-affected communities are putting their rebuilding plans on hold to help families displaced by recent violence. Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:29:15 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/colombia/1668/ The Bush Administration and U.S. Congress need to reorient U.S. policy in Colombia. Fri, 23 Mar 2007 07:46:50 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/india/1647/ Darjeeling tea is one of the world's most enjoyable beverages - but it doesn't come easily to your cup. Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:02:01 -0800 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/civilsociety/1595/ Mercy Corps is pleased at the resolution of Kosovo's political and legal status. Sat, 17 Feb 2007 09:08:46 -0800 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/civilsociety/1594/ Mercy Corps is helping students in Kosovo to gain a voice in the issues that affect them most. Mon, 29 Jan 2007 07:24:37 -0800 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/afghanistan/1461/ Michael Bowers, former Mercy Corps Country Director in Afghanistan, describes his experiences and shares his thoughts. Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:14:10 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/unitedstates/1462/ Loyed Lonzo is a man who knows things. And in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, information is a crucial commodity. Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:28:29 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/emergencies/1454/ What do young Lebanese people think about the prospects for peace and development in their country? Tue, 05 Sep 2006 10:30:32 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/pakistan/1449/ Examining life on the South Asian subcontinent was the focus of a Mercy Corps-sponsored film festival screened in Islamabad. Thu, 31 Aug 2006 07:01:14 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/civilsociety/1438/ In the year since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Mercy Corps has helped 250,000 people begin to recover and rebuild. Tue, 22 Aug 2006 09:36:08 -0700 http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/civilsociety/1429/ Mercy Corps Sri Lanka Country Director Josh DeWald answers questions about the current crisis. Fri, 18 Aug 2006 06:42:30 -0700