It’s hard not to be disheartened when we reflect on the many crises that we are faced with across the globe. These crises are intricately linked to the Degradation of Earth and the Displacement of Peoples. At the time of writing, Colleen Swain is representing Mercy International Association at the UN COP 25 Climate meeting being held in Madrid in an attempt to stand in solidarity and to advocate with those acknowledging that there is indeed a climate emergency.[1]  Sadly, political will is lacking in regards to efforts to take major climate action and reduce carbon emissions which are having devastating impacts on earth and ‘disproportionately affecting the people and communities globally who have contributed least to creating this planetary emergency’.[2]

This year we have also witnessed ongoing civil and political unrest in many countries throughout the world, including but not limited to Venezuela, Chile, Haiti, and Hong Kong. Serious conflicts continue to wage in Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, South Sudan and Syria resulting in a huge number of fatalities, food insecurity and mass displacement of people.

The vastly unequal distribution of resources throughout the world continues to reduce many people to a life of poverty, with profit often being a priority over the rights and human dignity of people. Human rights abuses continue to be rampant throughout the world and the perpetrators, whether they are individuals or corporate entities, often operate with impunity. We have witnessed the persecution and even the death of human rights defenders, and have seen the ongoing objectification of people through human trafficking and other forms of bondage. Homelessness continues to be a global phenomenon where many are denied the human right to housing and often live in subhuman conditions...

[1] Mercy’s Focus at COP25 https://www.mercyworld.org/newsroom/mercy-at-cop25/

[2] The People’s Demands for Climate Justice https://www.peoplesdemands.org/#read-the-demands-section

Spanish translation using DeepL Translator. Traducción al español con DeepL Translator

Angela Reed rsm is the Team Leader of Mercy Global Action. She is responsible for the Global Action programme of MIA.
Angela supports linkages between the justice programmes of MIA member organisations and ensures Mercy stories are incorporated into international advocacy at the United Nations.