Mercy Corps [to 12 December 2015]
http://www.mercycorps.org/press-room/releases

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Mercy Corps Applauds UN Security Council Adoption of Youth, Peace and Security Resolution
December 10, 2015
Historic move underscores the essential role youth play in promoting peace and countering violent extremism
Portland, Ore — The global organization Mercy Corps commends the United Nations Security Council for adopting a new resolution prioritizing youth and youth-led organizations in peacebuilding and violence prevention efforts, and thanks the government of Jordan and the 10,000 young peace builders who participated in this year’s first-ever Global Forum on Youth, Peace, and Security for leading this landmark initiative.

“In places fraught by conflict, instability, violence and economic crisis, youth are critical partners to help move their communities toward stability, prosperity and resilience,” says Andrea Koppel, vice president of Global Engagement and Policy at Mercy Corps. “Recognition by the United Nations of the urgent need to engage youth directly in decision making is essential to prevent violence and create lasting peace.”

Mercy Corps has worked with the United Network of Young Peacebuilders since 2011 to advocate for the inclusion of youth and youth-led organizations in peace-building initiatives and lay the foundation for this resolution…

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Mercy Corps-Managed Microfinance Program Yields Unprecedented Return for Mongolia
Mongolia, December 10, 2015
$10 million return to be invested in Mongolia Resilient Communities Program
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – A program that started with a small investment to support pastoral herders has grown into one of the country’s major financial institutions in less than 15 years. As a result of this unprecedented financial success — and in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) — $10 million will be redeployed for the benefit of Mongolians in a resilience program designed and administered by Mercy Corps. The funds will come from shares sold this week to the National Bank of Canada.

TenGer Financial Group evolved from an international development project implemented as the country transitioned from a centralized state to a free-market economy. Funded initially with roughly $1 million from USDA and USAID and managed by Mercy Corps, the program has helped tens of thousands of pastoralists and small businesses to access fundamental financial tools such as savings accounts, lines of credit and insurance policies…

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Airstrikes along Turkish Border Jeopardize Cross-Border Aid to Syria, Says Mercy Corps
Syria, December 7, 2015
Mercy Corps continuing aid efforts amid increasing danger
Portland, Ore.— The ongoing violence in Syria, which has resulted in nearly five years of catastrophic conditions for the country’s citizens, is now severely restricting the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Intensification in airstrikes against towns located between Aleppo City and the Syria-Turkey border threatens critical supply routes for humanitarian aid. Because of its large team working closely with local partners and the prepositioning of aid and supplies, Mercy Corps is able to continue providing assistance in the war-torn nation.