Switzerland

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Address: Adilgenswilerstrasse 15, CH-6002 Lucerne, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 414 192 222 Fax: +41 414 192 424
Email: info@caritas.ch
Facebook: caritas.suisse  Twitter: CaritasSwiss
www.caritas.ch

Caritas Switzerland was founded in 1901 by Father Rufin Steimer who became its first president. It is one of the oldest Caritas, and a member of Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas Switzerland is a multidisciplinary, mutual assistance, charitable organisation with headquarters in Lucerne. Its main strategic goal is “to fight poverty with strong partnerships”. Today, Caritas Switzerland is active in Switzerland and more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.

Around the world, Caritas provides emergency relief and contributes to post-disaster reconstruction. International cooperation is based on facilitating independence in the areas of combating hunger and food sovereignty; water and hygiene; migration; humanitarian aid; climate protection and crisis prevention; and education and income generation.

Switzerland has 16 independent regional Caritas which implement social projects in their respective cantons. Together with Caritas Switzerland, the regional Caritas support the “Reduce poverty by half” action plan. Together with the network of regional Caritas, Caritas Switzerland provides specific assistance to disadvantaged people: families and single-parent families, the unemployed, and asylum seekers and refugees. Caritas Switzerland also organises appointments of volunteers for missions to support the terminally ill and mountain farmers.

The services provided by Caritas in Switzerland include: a debt advisory service; Caritas grocery stores, which sell common food items to people with low incomes; and a Culture Card, which enables people affected by poverty to attend cultural and sporting events at reduced prices.

Updates from Switzerland

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