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.
On June 16, over 20 organizations from across the island gathered in Nicosia’s Faneromeni Square to mark World Refugee Day 2023. Together—and with those who find themselves in Cyprus far …
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.
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 …
In the summer of 2015, the European migration crisis dominated headlines around the world. Over a million people, including refugees fleeing the devastating civil war in Syria, arrived in Europe …
On October 18 each year, the European Union marks EU Anti-Trafficking Day. Its purpose is to raise awareness on trafficking in human beings and to increase the exchange of information, …
In his article in Phileleftheros, Marios Demetriou discusses the approach and outcomes of the EU-funded COALESCE project, led by the Mediterranean Institute for Gender Studies and implemented by a consortium …
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.
To mark World Refugee Day 2022, Caritas Europa, with the support of Caritas International.BE, produced a short video that captures the sentiments of those forced to flee their homes–an experience tragically shared by over 89 million people across the world.
With support from around the globe, Caritas Poland is providing ongoing aid to Ukrainian refugees that have made their way to Poland and is working to support Caritas-Spes and Caritas …
