Transforming Humanitarian Aid and Supporting Climate Resilience

Since 2017, we have invested US$20 million in our partnership with Mercy Corps to use technology for humanitarian impact and climate adaptation.

Our impact

13.9 million people

More than 13.9 million people in 45 countries have benefited from our efforts in the first four years, exceeding initial targets.

116 programs

116 programs are incorporating innovative, tech-enabled programming supported by our partnership.

188 cloud-powered offices

Cisco Meraki networking equipment has been installed at 188 Mercy Corps field offices in 34 countries, improving connectivity, security, and collaboration.

Technology for Impact 5-year partnership

The Technology for Impact partnership was a five-year collaboration between Mercy Corps and Cisco that began in 2017. Cisco has supported seven specific technology initiatives with nearly US$12 million in cash and product donations, plus an additional US$3 million for tech-based COVID response. Nearly 14 million people in 45 countries have benefited from programming supported by the partnership.

“We at Mercy Corps are a team of global humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to develop what we call a ‘future of possibility,’ in which everyone can prosper. Our mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities”

Tjada D'Oyen McKenna.
Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Corps

Connectivity is critical when disaster strikes

A preconfigured Cisco Meraki emergency communications kit helps Mercy Corps respond quickly in disaster-prone Indonesia.

5M+ connected

The flagship Signpost platform provides trusted, localized information to vulnerable populations in over 13 languages and across over 18 countries on five continents.

Helping refugees start over (video 3:27)

Helping families affected by conflict

As the risk of violence displaces 8.7 million people in northeast Nigeria from agricultural lands, they are in need of humanitarian assistance. Cisco helped Mercy Corps develop a technology solution to distribute cash to needy families.

Connecting people in crisis

New research from Mercy Corps and Harvard University shows that internet connectivity has a positive impact on well-being in humanitarian settings.

Building a data-driven culture

Humanitarian and development work involves more than delivering aid—it involves tracking resources and supplies, evaluating the impact of every program, reporting back to partner communities and donors, and applying learnings to improve future efforts.

Before the Cisco partnership, the vast majority of Mercy Corp's data was collected on paper. The data has since been modernized and digitized across the agency, freeing up time for team members and generating real-time insights to inform better decisions, anticipate future challenges, and deliver more effective, relevant support to communities when needed.

How digitizing data makes a difference

Poncianah, an animal health advisor in Uganda, aims to vaccinate 1 million livestock against PPR, a viral disease that can affect 90 percent of a herd.

With Mercy Corps' digital tools, Poncianah can register farmers, distribute vaccination cards, and plan vaccine distribution in weeks—a complex process that previously took months.

Meet our community partners

Cisco and the Cisco Foundation partner with innovative nonprofits to deliver transformative, tech-driven solutions for education, economic empowerment, crisis response, and climate impact.

 

All images courtesy of Mercy Corps.