Plans have been revealed for the return of a major cycling event in Edinburgh to raise vital funds for two leading charities. Continue reading Tour de Forth race set to return to Edinburgh
Tag: Mercy Corps
Tour de Forth cyclists raise thousands for charities
More than 700 cyclists have taken part in a gruelling challenge through the east of Scotland to raise vital funds for two Edinburgh-based charities. Continue reading Tour de Forth cyclists raise thousands for charities
Plans unveiled for ‘biggest-ever’ Tour de Forth cycle event
Organisers of a major cycle event in Edinburgh say next year’s race is on track to be their biggest yet. More than 800 cyclists took part in 2017’s Tour de Forth, raising £54,000 for the charities Mercy Corps & Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids – £12,000 more than in 2016. Continue reading Plans unveiled for ‘biggest-ever’ Tour de Forth cycle event
City council pledges support for refugees
Europe’s escalating refugee situation has reached crisis point over recent days. Council leader ANDREW BURNS has pledged the continuing support of the City of Edinburgh Council as he appealed for donations to the city’s charity:
The world watched, several months ago, as thousands of refugees set up makeshift camps in desolate, far-off spots after fleeing their war-torn homelands.
Since then, we’ve been watching the reports of people living in horrendous conditions at the port of Calais as they desperately attempt to enter the UK.
Everyone has an opinion on how to react, from stopping anyone from coming here because we don’t have the resources or the room, to opening up the borders and welcoming those desperately in need.
Before, we could just turn off the images with a flick of the TV remote control – but the image of the body of a tiny, lonely child washed up on a beach in Turkey this week will haunt many of us for a long time. It summed up the desperation of those who are running for their lives.
How desperate must a person be to squeeze themselves, and their children, into airtight lorries, or on to open boats without life jackets, to make extremely dangerous and often futile journeys? We may struggle to imagine that feeling, here in the western world, but the horror of that photo has affected us all.
We may be far away, but there are still ways in which we can help.
In May of this year, having learned that close to four million people had already fled the country, the City of Edinburgh Council decided to get involved in the UK Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.
The scheme will allow us to welcome a number of families from Syria, all of whom will have been identified as being in the utmost need by the United Nations. The scheme prioritises help for survivors of torture and violence, women and children at risk, and those in need of medical care.
Participants will be housed here in the capital for the duration of the programme, with access to employment, health care and education.
Initial conversations have taken place within the Council (housing and social work) and with NHS Lothian and Police Scotland, who have confirmed their willingness and capacity to support Edinburgh’s involvement with the project.
Initial talks have also taken place to examine potential for wider social support through Edinburgh Churches for Sanctuary and Cities for Sanctuary networks.
The key measure of success will be that the number of refugees moving here will integrate successfully into the city in terms of their home, social and professional lives.
Let’s not forget – the families taking part in the relocation scheme don’t want to leave their homes behind. Imagine being forced out of your country and everything that is familiar to you, because life has become too dangerous for you to stay?
This is the humanitarian course of action. We are helping, in a very small way, amongst the most vulnerable and needy people in the world at this moment. Let’s try to stop any more needless deaths.
Our Edinburgh-based charity partner, Mercy Corps, is already on the ground helping Syrian refugee families, and other families in crisis around the world, get the food, water and shelter they need to survive.
Visit the Mercy Corps website to find out more about their work and to donate to their Humanitarian Response Fund. Please help them to rush lifesaving aid to people suffering in Syria and around the world.
Councillor Andrew Burns
Council Leader
Light a candle for Nepal
Marking one week since the devastating earthquake in Nepal, Edinburgh residents and visitors are being invited to show solidarity at a candlelit vigil outside the City Chambers tomorrow.
The Lord Provost Donald Wilson lodged an emergency motion at a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council on Thursday to call on local support for the Mercy Corps Nepal Earthquake appeal.
He said: “When an event as devastating as this take place, I believe it is important for residents to feel they have an opportunity to express condolences and provide united support.
“I urge everyone in Edinburgh to do and give what they can, whether they join us for the candle lighting ceremony, make a donation to the Mercy Corps, pause for reflection or say a prayer for the lives lost.
“Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and is suffering one of the most horrific of disasters. The survivors of this terrible earthquake and all of the aid workers in Nepal urgently need sympathy and support from all corners of the world.”
Rajendra Bam, the Chair of the Nepal Scotland Association, added: “The effect on our country has been devastating. We represent about 800 Nepali people in Edinburgh and the Lothians and no one has been left untouched by this tragedy, everyone has a story. Our community is a very close one and what affects one affects another. We are working in cooperation with charities, such as Mercy Corps, towards the urgent relief programme. Anything that you can do to help us is much appreciated.”
Edinburgh-based international charity Mercy Corps has been working in Nepal since 2006. The humanitarian organisation has reacted with an emergency response in Nepal following the massive earthquake and their dedicated team has been working tirelessly, whilst dealing with their own tragedies, to evaluate conditions and deliver emergency supplies to desperate families.
Simon O’Connell, Executive Director, Mercy Corps Europe said: “Our teams have been working hard for the last week to meet emergency needs of survivors in Nepal and assess what is needed for the recovery of the country. We are distributing urgent relief to families in Kathmandu and in villages outside of the capital and working hard to get more emergency supplies in for families who are in desperate need. Time is of the essence and donations are critical to our ongoing relief effort.”
The City of Edinburgh Council is a partner of the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee which is asking residents to help survivors during the aftermath of the disaster.
A fund has opened with the Edinburgh based humanitarian organisation Mercy Corps for urgent donations.
Philippines disaster: how you can help
An urgent appeal has been launched to provide immediate relief and long term recovery for the millions affected as Typhoon Haiyan washed away homes, businesses and entire communities in the Philippines on Friday.
The official death toll stands at more than 2,000, though some reports say it could be exceed 10,000. The United Nations says more than 11 million people have been affected and some 673,000 displaced – this is greater than the entire population of Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee is calling on people in the city to donate to the appeal via Mercy Corps, an Edinburgh-based international humanitarian organisation, to help survivors of the disaster.
Mercy Corps has responded to almost every major disaster in the last 20 years, including the Boxing Day tsunami, Haiti earthquake, Japan tsunami, the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa and the on-going Syria crisis. Based on their experience in the Philippines they will focus on providing immediate, lifesaving assistance while keeping in mind longer-term recovery.
They are working with partners to immediately evaluate distribution needs of non-food items including shelter, hygiene kits, and water.
Ali MacLeod, spokesperson for Mercy Corps, said: “The needs are great and there is a very real threat of disease out-breaks and further storms. With so many so vulnerable we urgently need the support of people here in our home city to help us to help people in the Philippines.
“Cash donations will mean we can buy the items we need close to the disaster site, avoiding the high cost and difficulty of sorting, shipping, storing, and importing the goods.
“By purchasing materials in nearby markets, we can purchase exactly what is needed, support local economies and businesses and get aid to those who need it more quickly, and ultimately use our funds more effectively and wisely.’
Cllr Andrew Burns, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, chairs the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee. He said: “I’m pleased to have seen very quick action from the government and aid agencies to deal with the impact of this disaster. For our part, we will be working with Mercy Corps who are already looking to the longer-term and planning to provide assistance for the rebuilding of those communities devastated by the earthquake.
“We hope that the people of Edinburgh will support Mercy Corps to help the Philippines as the capital has a long and proud tradition of reaching out to those in less fortunate circumstances. I’m sure they will act with the same compassion and generosity in response to this tragedy.”
The Edinburgh Disasters Response Committee was set up by Mercy Corps and City of Edinburgh Council in 2009. The Committee works in association with other city organisations to co-ordinate fundraising across Edinburgh (and East Central Scotland) to deliver a more effective humanitarian response to the survivors of major disasters.
People can donate by the following methods through Mercy Corps:
– Philippines Typhoon response donation page on our web site: www.mercycorps.org.uk and a dedicated landing page: https://www.mercycorps.org.uk/help-typhoon-haiyan-survivors
– Facebook: Families in the Philippines are in urgent need after Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated towns and villages, causing heavy damage from wind and water. Thousands of people are feared dead, and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced from their homes. Donate Now: http://bit.ly/1ajAkTQ
– Twitter: Survivors of Super Typhoon #Haiyan desperately need our help. Donate Now: http://bit.ly/1ajAkTQ
– Call 08000 413 060 or 0131 6625173
– Cheque to: Mercy Corps Scotland, 40 Sciennes, Edinburgh, EH9 1NJ
