Through their daily work with migrants and refugees in every region of the world, Caritas Internationalis, RED CLAMOR, the RAEMH and our valued partners are making a difference for those vulnerable people on the move, so that they may better choose, for themselves, the path they take in life.
In Latin America, Caritas Ecuador and Brazil and the other Caritas in the Pan-Amazon region are engaged at the side of indigenous and traditional communities, raising awareness and training people to defend their rights, providing legal support in access to justice and advocating for the protection of communities affected by land grabbing, deforestation, mining and water contamination.
In Oceania, national Caritas organisations are carrying out disaster risk reduction programs in climate change affected villages and are strengthening the resilience of their local communities by empowering women and youth and valuing their expertise.
In Asia, NASSA/Caritas Philippines spearheads institutional networking and advocacy campaigns to address issues related to mining, deforestation, solid waste disposal and coastal/marine resource exploitation. Caritas Member Organisations are working actively in sustainable agriculture by supporting small holder farmers in South Asia and South East Asia Sub Regions. Caritas Bangladesh, India and Thailand are also providing humanitarian relief for the Myanmar refugees fleeing the unsafe situation in their country and taking refuge in the border areas of these countries. In 2022, Caritas Pakistan has launched an Emergency Appeal with the aim of providing households with increased access to food, adequate hygiene supplies, access to safe drinking and improved sanitation facilities, health services, adequate learning environments in schools, including for girls, and increased access to immediate livelihood opportunities for women and men. As the devastating floods in summer 2022 further aggravated the situation – in particular for the Afghan refugees – Caritas Pakistan and Caritas Italy organised humanitarian corridors for Afghan refugees.
Jalpaiguri after the quake. Credit Caritas India
In Africa, in countries such as Burkina Faso, which is marked by instability for several years, Caritas OCADES Burkina has focused all its work on “social cohesion” and the promotion of peace in the local communities hosting IDPs. In Guinea, OCPH supports young people’s access to work through vocational training. In Senegal and Uganda, Caritas promotes respectful and sustainable agriculture in villages and in refugee settlements. Caritas South Africa has distributed a liturgy kit to all Dioceses and organisations countrywide to disseminate the culture of integration and fraternal cooperation amongst different nationalities. Most of the dioceses organised activities to pray and celebrate together the WDMR 2023. Caritas South Africa has planned training on disaster risk reduction (emergency responses) for all Dioceses to strengthen the community resilience of their local communities by understanding human mobility due to climate change.
In the Middle East, Caritas Jordan and Caritas Lebanon are committed to helping Syrian refugees to move from precarious situations in refugee camps to a dignified life in local communities. They facilitate access to education and job training, and promote mutual aid and cultural activities in the host communities.
In Europe, Caritas Ukraine, various Caritas members and other faith-based organisations welcome and help people fleeing the conflict by providing humanitarian aid and protection services, psychological support and legal advice, as well as other social services.
Secours Catholique Caritas France is working closely with its international partners on areas such as disaster preparedness and response, environmental conservation and access to rights for migrants. It also advocates internationally for the protection of migrants, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental degradation, and for a just ecological transition.