Overcrowding inside prison facilities has been a big push factor for the spread of the coronavirus. The lives of prisoners were already very difficult due to lack of food, poor infrastructure, healthcare and basic services.
Towards the end of May 2020, Caritas Peru has already helped 198,000 families nationwide but its means are very limited and is dependent on international help.
Caritas Brazil has reacted promptly to the COVID-19 crisis providing 100,000 vulnerable people with food and hygiene items in the past month.
The fifth anniversary of Laudato Sì, in the context of COVID-19 brings to us the key message that ecological conversion has to take place now.
The economic, political and social crisis that has gripped Venezuela for the past few years means people have very few defences against the COVID-19.
Caritas Internationalis is highly concerned by the major humanitarian crisis to which the post-pandemic is heading and urges the international community to take courageous and immediate action.
Caritas believes that no one should be left behind and our national organisations in affected countries are ramping up efforts to raise awareness and provide assstance to those in need.
This year the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is marked by two major events, the global human tragedy created by the coronavirus infection and the fifth anniversary of Laudato Sì.
Aid must be ensured for everyone, particularly in developing countries, where the pandemic may lead to even more catastrophic consequences.
Caritas will coordinate with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) the first working group of the Commission dedicated to COVID-19 response created by Pope Francis