Dan
O'Neill is the founder of Mercy Corps, an organization which has raised over $1
billion to help children and families in 81 countries. Mercy Corps' humanitarian
aid programs include emergency relief projects, civil society initiatives and
self-help development programs working to alleviate poverty, suffering and oppression
by helping people build safe, peaceful, just and productive communities. Dan O'Neill
first became involved in international humanitarian work as a volunteer in 1972,
when he witnessed famine and war in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. In 1979
he co-founded the Save the Refugees Fund to help Cambodian Refugees. Two years
later he founded Mercy Corps, which has grown tremendously over the years, becoming
one of "America's 100 Best Charities."