Dear friend,
Civilians in Gaza and Haiti are facing continuing violence, displacement, and humanitarian needs.
In Gaza, intensifying violence in Rafah has escalated the humanitarian catastrophe as famine looms. Haiti has endured months of extreme gang violence and political instability, triggering an ongoing humanitarian crisis that has left half the population in need of urgent assistance.
Mercy Corps teams and partners are working tirelessly to respond to these crises and many others across the globe. Please read on for more details — and if you’re ready to build on your commitment to our work to support families in Gaza, Haiti, and 40+ countries, consider making your first gift to Mercy Corps as we respond to the immediate needs of those severely affected by conflicts and crises.
Situation in Gaza
More families in western Rafah dismantling their tents and leaving Rafah (credit: "Osama" Mercy Corps aid worker)
The living conditions in Gaza continue to worsen — unraveling new challenges for displaced families. The recent fighting in Rafah has compounded the humanitarian needs of more than 1.5 million people.
As attacks in Rafah intensify, families who once found refuge in Rafah will be forced to flee again. Right now, more than 1 million people have fled Rafah since attacks started in early May, and more than 1.1 million people face catastrophic levels of food insecurity in the region.
How we’re responding
Mercy Corps teams are working diligently to bring urgent and critical aid to displaced families in Gaza.
Currently, we are providing cash assistance to help vulnerable people meet their essential needs and have reached over 102,000 people. The team is also working on the distribution of essential items, including food, hygiene and household shelter kits. To date, we have distributed 42,400 food baskets and 20,400 hygiene kits.
While our teams and families in Gaza are uncertain of the next development of this war, Mercy Corps will continue to monitor the situation and remain equipped to effectively respond to emergencies as tensions escalate. Mercy Corps will also continue to advocate for a sustained ceasefire and an end to the siege coupled with the massive scale-up of humanitarian aid to prevent continued civilian death and destruction in Gaza.
Situation in Haiti
Armed gangs have plunged Haiti into chaos — stripping families of safety, access to healthcare, food, and education.
"When Carrefour-Feuilles was stormed by armed gangs, I lost my house and my business, which meant everything to me," said Marie Love Elucien, 25-year-old mother and shopkeeper. She is currently displaced and finding refuge at her cousin’s house.
Marie also described the psychological effects the situation has on her and her young daughter: "I live in fear. I’m tired of sleeping under the beds every time there is a shooting, afraid that bullets will pierce the walls of where I live with my daughter. I'm worried she's going to have a fit and become paralyzed because every time she hears the shots she jumps and screams; that really scares me."
Over 80% of the capital is under the control of armed gangs who have also taken over ports, airports, and roads — cutting access to goods and putting the population on the brink of famine. Throughout Haiti, an estimated 5.5 million people require humanitarian assistance.
How we’re responding
Mercy Corps has been working in Haiti since 2010 to help improve the lives of families as they recover and become more resilient in the face of devastating natural disasters and violent conflict. Between 2020 and 2023, we’ve reached over 131,000 people across the country to provide assistance, support, and help communities be self-sufficient through entrepreneurship, farming, and financial and life skills training.
Thanks to our presence in Haiti, we were able to quickly respond to the urgent needs of families as the Haitian capital fell into further chaos at the hands of armed gangs.
With urgent humanitarian needs mounting in Gaza and Haiti, our Mercy Corps teams on the ground need the unwavering support of the global community to effectively meet the needs of men, women, and children severely affected by violent conflict.
As we continue to deliver critical aid to families facing displacement, violence, and hunger, will you make a one-time gift to fuel our work in 40+ countries around the world?
Sincerely,
The Mercy Corps team
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