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Dear friend, Myanmar, Gaza, and Sudan are experiencing devastating levels of crisis at the moment. The death toll of last week’s devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has risen to more than 3,000 people. The situation remains dire—the earthquake struck at the heart of an area which has endured years of conflict and economic hardship. After weeks of ceasefire in Gaza brought some relief and a sense of hope for Palestinian families, renewed violence has created a devastating setback for civilians in desperate need. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of families in Sudan have lost access to food, water, and basic services due to U.S. foreign aid cuts. Mercy Corps teams and partners are working to respond to the needs of people in Myanmar, Gaza, and Sudan as these crises deepen. Whether we face intensified violence, termination of aid programs that saved lives, widespread destruction or increased food insecurity, our teams on the ground remain committed to delivering support to families in dire need. Read on below for recent reports from Gaza and Sudan. But first, please consider making a gift that will help fuel our emergency response and recovery efforts in places around the globe?
It’s been a month since Israeli authorities closed border crossings and suspended the supply of water and electricity into Gaza amid the breakdown of the fragile ceasefire that had brought renewed hope. This latest surge in violence is worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. U.S. foreign aid cuts have added another layer of challenges for people in Gaza. Funding cuts have forced us to shutter some of our programming, including a program that provided critical access to education, mental health support, and career readiness skills to more than 50,000 vulnerable Palestinian youth. Without this program, young people face greater isolation and marginalization. One youth participant said:
In Sudan, U.S. foreign aid cuts have put the lives of thousands of people who require humanitarian assistance at risk. More than 150,000 displaced people living in gathering sites across Darfur will lose access to safe drinking water, and be at risk of disease outbreaks and dehydration. Additionally, up to 40,000 severely malnourished children will no longer receive lifesaving Ready-to-Use Therapeutic food. And 8,750 people will no longer gain access to improved sanitation services, while 6,100 people will lose access to sanitation facilities they had begun to rely on. Emmanuel Ufot, our Emergency Strategic Support Director in North Sudan, reported:
As we continue to respond to the growing needs of families impacted by war, hunger, and displacement, your gift today will make a vital impact in our emergency response efforts. You can help deliver critical aid to impacted families in Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, and 40+ countries around the world.
The Mercy Corps team |
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