About the Charities - Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps Mongolia is the principle charity of the Mongol Rally 2007. Mercy Corps Mongolia supports rural communities to meet their economic and social needs, helping individuals, families and communities to become more self-sufficient, diversified in their production, and better linked to local, regional and national markets. Over the past five years Mercy Corps Mongolia has established a strong reputation across the vast Gobi region, and continues to work with business associations and local organizations to ensure a robust economy that preserves ancient traditions. Funds from the 2006 Rally were used for various programs including the following:
A rural community in Khentii identified the need for a deep water well as the community’s most pressing issue. At the time of the assessment, 850 people were sharing one well. Water use per person was low and incidences of infectious disease were 2-3 times higher than national and provincial averages. The project implementation team, consisting of representatives of the community, local government, and local NGO’s, has since facilitated the drilling of the well and connected it with electricity to operate the water pump. The fully functional well station will be turned over to the local government in April 2007.
Three communities in Dundgobi have mobilized funds from the Mongol Rally - addressing school services, prevention of desertification, and historical preservation. As a byproduct of global warming, temperatures in Dundgobi have increased sharply in recent years. An increase in hot, windy days has led to extensive desertification, sand movement, and soil erosion, which have divided the town - literally. The community decided to build a pedestrian bridge and path lined with trees to reduce sand movement. The bridge and path were turned over to local government in November 2006, after being constructed by local workers. Community members plan to line the path with trees this spring.
For a full press release on programs funded from the Mongol Rally 2006 please visit http://www.mercycorps.org.mn/index.php?coid=121&cid=150.