Mercy Corps Urges New UK Government to Address Pressing Global Issues

LONDON – As a global organisation dedicated to tackling the existential crises of our time—conflict, climate change, and burgeoning humanitarian needs—Mercy Corps welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the new UK government on addressing the world's most pressing issues together. 

We stand at a critical crossroads. Conflict and fragility are rising across the globe, stalling hard won development gains, driving global security challenges and human suffering, while generating a huge global cost - $19.1 trillion in 2023. An estimated 300 million people are projected to need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2024. The more fragile a country is, the less it receives from bilateral donors and multilateral climate funds. The new government needs to move with urgency.  There is no time to waste.

Harpinder Collacott, Mercy Corps Executive Director for Europe says: 

 "To build a more peaceful, sustainable, and equitable world it is clear that we need to tackle the root causes of conflict and climate change to prevent crises and manage risks, rather than react after a crisis has hit, as well as meet critical funding gaps. Failing this, we will see humanitarian needs continue to soar, fast-tracking us towards even greater global instability.” 

“The new UK government can have far-reaching impacts on these interconnected and complex challenges, which Mercy Corps has long been striving to address. Rebuilding the UK's leadership and capability to address an increasingly unstable world is not just a nice to have, it is a necessity for ensuring global stability, security, and sustainable peace. These efforts have a direct positive impact on the UK, contributing to a more secure global context that diminishes threats at home, strengthens economic stability, and upholds our moral obligations to protect human rights and support vulnerable populations worldwide.”

"The UK has previously been at the forefront of mobilising support for climate adaptation, systems change, debt relief, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and the sustainable development goals. I am hopeful that the UK’s renewed commitment to global leadership will result in substantial investments in climate finance, as well as a readiness to partner with the humanitarian sector and affected communities to address the complex drivers of displacement, climate change and global insecurity, ensuring a safer and more stable future for all."