August 19 is World Humanitarian Day
On 19 August, 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio …
Europe’s Care Systems at Risk—Caritas Europa Launches Caritas CARES Report on the Care Sector
Europe’s Care Systems at Risk—Caritas Europa Launches Caritas CARES Report on the Care Sector The number of people in need of care in the EU is projected to rise from …
Caritas Statement for World Refugee Day 2023
On this World Refugee Day, Caritas Europa calls for a Europe that ensures access to protection in its territory through an improved asylum system which puts people’s rights at the centre. This starts with ensuring safe and regular pathways to protection, dignified reception conditions and integration in the host society.
Caritas Joins Response to Earthquake That Shook Lives in Syria and Turkey
On Monday, February 6, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 5,000 people at latest count. Like the …
Humanitarian Needs Increase as Europe Faces Cost-of-Living Crisis
A survey conducted by Caritas Europa and Eurodiaconia across 18 European countries found that there has been a 40% increase in demand for support by vulnerable groups. Organisations are responding to this increase in demand for services by opening up warm spaces for people experiencing hardship and continuing to deliver more and adequate food support, clothing, homelessness services, financial support for housing and energy expenses and debt counselling.
The survey conducted by these two networks of organizations reveals that the current cost-of-living crisis is severely impacting the ability of people with low incomes—especially single parents, pensioners and young people—to cover basic needs like heating their homes, buying food or paying rent. The situation of people experiencing poverty is particularly difficult in: Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Serbia, Sweden and Turkey. The two networks call on the EU and European governments to take further action to support vulnerable households as well as to invest in not-for-profit social services providers. Immediate and targeted support is needed to prevent more people from falling into poverty and to guarantee dignity and wellbeing for all.
Supporting Europe’s Young People in Times of Crisis: Caritas Europa Position Paper Makes Recommendations
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen designated 2022 as the European Year of Youth–“a year dedicated to empowering those who have dedicated so much to others”. This was meant …
2022 World Day of the Poor and World Youth Day
On Sunday, November 13, the Church marks the 6th World Day of the Poor, an occasion established by Pope Francis in 2017. The Day is meant to focus attention on …
“Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees”—Theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022
Each year, the world observes World Day of Migrants and Refugees on the last Sunday in September. Celebrated by the Catholic Church since 1914, WDMR is now a day designated annually by the United Nations to commemorate and honor people who have been forced to flee their homes, people who have escaped conflict, seen adversity, and, against all odds, forged their way to restart their lives far away from their homes. This day recognizes the courage and fortitude of people on the move and serves to heighten our level of empathy and understanding of their plight and a recognition of the difficult decisions many immigrants have had to make to survive. Read the reflections of Martha Rubiano Skretteberg, the Secretary General of Caritas Norway, on WDMR and on “Bringing Societies Together in Time of Crisis” here.
The Vatican: Female Migrant Workers Challenges and Strengths – Bulletin #7
Migrant workers often have to accept unsafe and unfair work and must live in precarious conditions. They are exposed to various forms of slavery and lack a welfare system protecting them. They are among the victims of the widespread “culture of waste”, which – Pope Francis reminds us – is at the origin of the inequality that afflicts the world.
Caritas Internationalis at 70 – 2021 Annual Report
The year 2021—Caritas Internationalis’ 70-year anniversary–was deeply marked by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences. Caritas remained steadfast in its commitment to standing by the poor, advocating …