Disaster Preparedness & Response
Operation Mercy normally tries to plan with a theory of change. This is a like a map of how and why change is supposed to happen in a community between interventions or activities and the outcome of desired transformation.
But in 2020, plans disappeared. How and why would change come to this city? People all over the half of the city where Operation Mercy works—in addition to those around the world—were in crisis. Theory seemed to be far from our reality as we tried to respond and innovate.
Without a roadmap, we stepped towards uncertainty, chaos and brokenness. In doing so, we were given the chance to see more and go deeper into our own community: to be better informed about the needs in the city and to know who the real poor are, to connect with people and to invite them to participate in the change we want to see through our normal health and empowerment projects. We prayed for healing.
Our relief interventions have been small. But somehow this strange and terrible window of crisis and crisis response has brought us both forward and closer, even when Covid-19, at face value, has forced everything else to stop.
Hot Tea for Syrian Refugees
Thanks to Macedonian volunteers, the team was able to maintain a daily presence in a key location in the camp in this border village; however, with trains full of refugees pulling into Tabanovce all through the night,
What’s in your Closet?
If you’re like most people, you have a wardrobe that many families in Tajikistan could not believe – shoes, boots, dress clothes, casual clothes, sports clothes,
A Growing Response
The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons (also known as cyclones or hurricanes). But when Typhoon Yolanda hit, the scale of damage was far greater than anyone had anticipated.
Seeing Lives Transformed, Including Our Own
Japan’s mindset changed through serving in the European Refugee Crisis
Helpful Hygiene Supplies
In May 2016 a flood hit a village in the district of Rudaki.
“At 2am we heard announcements that we needed to get out of our houses…”
We have no words
“Nobody helped. No other organisation came.”
Pulling Us Closer
Operation Mercy normally tries to plan with a theory of change. This is a like a map of how and why change is supposed to happen in a community between interventions or activities and the outcome of desired transformation.
Transferring Lessons Learned
When ISIS surged through Northern Iraq, many people fled from their homes to nearby cities, seeking safety and protection.