Violence spills into the West Bank and Lebanon ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌







Dear friend,

This email is part of our ongoing series to keep you informed about Mercy Corps’ real-time emergency response around the world. Below are updates on our work in Gaza and Afghanistan.

Situation in Gaza

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsened this week. More than 1.4 million people are displaced in Gaza, over 40 percent of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged, and 12 out of 35 hospitals in Gaza are no longer functioning while seven major hospitals are well over capacity. There is nowhere safe in Gaza right now.

Violence in Israel and Gaza is now spilling over into the West Bank and Lebanon. Escalating tension in the West Bank has already resulted in 128 deaths. Nearly 30,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced as people flee violence at the southern border.

How we’re responding

In partnership with more than 100 other humanitarian organizations, Mercy Corps remains steadfast in our call on global leaders to negotiate a ceasefire to end the devastating loss of life, protect civilians, and allow safe access to humanitarian aid.

Our CEO released the following statement:

“Until a ceasefire is reached, all parties must adhere to International Humanitarian Law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and Israel. Civilians must not be targeted, held against their will, forcibly removed or used as bargaining chips…We fear the further escalation of violence will result in untold tragedy that will be a stain on the global conscience.”

In the West Bank, we are continuing to carry out our programming building economic opportunity and resilience of local businesses with safety modifications. In Lebanon, we are providing 1,300 displaced people with essential items such as hygiene kits, blankets, and mattresses.

Situation in Afghanistan
Roughly 350 families in this neighborhood lost their homes during the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck Afghanistan on October 7.
Following three consecutive 6.3 magnitude earthquakes that struck the Herat, Afghanistan region on October 7, 11, and 15, tens of thousands of people are now living in tents and unable to return home. The earthquakes have destroyed or severely damaged 38,500 homes. More than 154,000 people have been affected, including 7,500 pregnant women.

How we’re responding

Mercy Corps has been providing vital humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan since 1986 in response to ongoing violent conflict, economic collapse, and natural disasters. We are continuing our programming to help families have access to life-sustaining income, water, power, and food.
     
Mercy Corps is providing essential supplies to the families who lost their homes in the earthquake (left) including cash assistance, hygiene kits, and clean drinking water. More than 300 families impacted by the earthquakes in Afghanistan now have access to clean water from this tank installed by Mercy Corps (right).
 
We have scaled up our response to the earthquakes in Herat to improve and repair water and sanitation infrastructure and distribute hygiene kits and cash assistance. Mercy Corps is doing all we can to help people in Gaza, Afghanistan, and 40+ countries as communities rebuild lives and livelihoods in the midst of crisis.

As global humanitarian need soars to an unprecedented level, we ask you to consider making a gift today for people facing challenges in 40+ countries worldwide.
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Thank you again for being part of our global community as our teams and partners respond to these crises and many others around the world. We will continue to send you updates on our progress.

Sincerely,

The Mercy Corps team