PLYMOUTH, Michigan — Mercy-USA for Aid and Development (M-USA) is committed to supporting communities with efforts that allow them to become more self-sufficient.
M-USA is a nonprofit relief and development organization that knows the value in sustainability, a value that is found in their motto: “Helping People Help Themselves.”
Founded in 1988, M-USA’s projects have focused on improving health, nutrition and access to safe water, as well as promoting economic and education growth on a global scale. Through their efficient, systemized approach and with the help of generous donors, M-USA has been able to manage their projects in Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Gaza Strip, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Somalia and Syria.
In their 2013 Annual Report, M-USA was able to make a difference in over 250,000 lives in the Balkans, East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and the Far East. During the course of that year, their team experienced both expansion and tragedy in northern Syria where they secured the daily food needs of over 5,000 at-risk people in Aleppo and the surrounding area.
However, with this expansion of their operational presence also came the tragic loss of Abir Al-Shab, the field team leader in the same city. This was the first tragedy for the organization since the launch of their mission to provide emergency relief and long-term aid across nations, even to the most dangerous corners of the world.
Since October 2012, M-USA’s Syrian relief workers have been providing consistent and reliable food aid inside Syria. Last year, their efforts amounted to serving at least 1,000 families with monthly food baskets and infant formula in the city of Aleppo, including the neighborhoods of Al-Merjeh, Aqyoul, Bab El-Nayreb and Azmarin before the loss of Al-Shab at the end of the year.
That year they also provided health services to over 8,000 Syrian refugees, including delivery services for pregnant women. In addition, they funded a mobile clinic operated by Makassed Charitable Organization that travels four days per week to villages where local families are hosting Syrian refugees. They provide vaccines, pre- and post-natal care and regular medical exams to the refugees.
2013 was a big year for M-USA, marking a successful lineup of sustainable projects, as well as a first-time loss for the organization. However, despite security concerns, M-USA has continued with their mission to help vulnerable communities in Syria with their latest project “2014 Winter Clothing Kit for Syrian Children” that has affected at least 10,000 children.
M-USA helps alleviate human suffering- even at the cost of their own- by helping people help themselves in areas that call for that need the most.
– Chelsee Yee
Sources: Mercy-USA Huffington Post
Photo: Mercy USA