More than 100 faith leaders and health experts are meeting in Rome on April 22–23 to address water, sanitation, and hygiene gaps in healthcare facilities. The event, supported by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, highlights that 37% of facilities in 60 countries lack basic water services. Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Alistair Dutton stated the conference aims to turn commitments into funded plans. Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally also urged greater support for these vital health measures. Representatives from Haiti, Mopti, and Harare will share frontline experiences to help improve global health outcomes.
Faith organizations issued a joint statement marking the third anniversary of the conflict in Sudan. The groups urge the international community to secure an immediate ceasefire and hold violators accountable for attacks on civilians and humanitarian infrastructure. They emphasize the need for sustained funding beyond emergency aid to support local resilience and peacebuilding. Leaders highlight the critical role of local faith groups in providing aid and call for civilian-led peace processes that include women and youth. The statement stresses that protecting international humanitarian law is non-negotiable during this ongoing crisis.
Harout Bedrossian, head of resource development at Caritas Jerusalem, reported that shelling struck near his home in the Old City of Jerusalem on March 20, 2026. The explosion occurred between the Armenian and Jewish Quarters, close to Dormition Abbey and the Al-Bouraq Wall. Although shrapnel landed within fifteen meters of the building, no injuries were reported. Bedrossian stated that the incident contradicts claims that the area is safe from attack. He emphasized the fragility of civilian safety in the conflict zone. The testimony was published by Caritas Internationalis to highlight the dangers faced by residents in the region.
A humanitarian organization in Nepal has produced a video featuring a woman who migrated to the Gulf for work, aiming to warn others about the dangers of irregular migration. According to national employment data, thousands of young people leave the country daily for jobs abroad. Many women bypass government restrictions by using informal routes through neighboring nations. The organization assisted this woman during her time overseas and helped her return to a specific province. It now partners with local authorities to raise awareness and support returnees and trafficking survivors in rebuilding their lives safely.
Caritas Philippines and its partners are assisting communities in the Philippines recovering from overlapping disasters in late 2025. Tropical cyclones and an earthquake in Cebu and Davao Oriental caused widespread destruction. The organization is supporting approximately 1,600 families in Masbate and Cebu with shelter repairs, food packs, and cash assistance. Fr. Paul Richard Dy of Caritas Masbate emphasized the importance of dignity in recovery. Relief efforts include distributing essential items and helping farmers and fisherfolk replace damaged tools to restore livelihoods after significant crop and infrastructure losses.
Caritas Lebanon has expanded its emergency operations as the Middle East conflict enters its second month. The organization reports that over 1,800 youth volunteers are delivering food, shelter, and medical care to more than 221,000 people since March. Peter Mahfouz, head of the youth and emergency departments, described the dire situation in southern villages like Tyre, Qlayaa, and Rmeich, where access is restricted and hospitals are closed. The group states that over 1,200 people have died in Israeli military attacks since early March. Volunteers are exhausted but continue to support displaced families who face severe economic hardship and difficult choices between medicine and food. (Caritas Internationalis)
Following a Palm Sunday incident in Jerusalem on 29 March 2026, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Fr. Francesco Ielpo were initially blocked from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land confirmed that access for Holy Week celebrations was secured the next day through coordination with the Israel Police. This resolution followed direct intervention by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and outreach from global leaders. Due to ongoing war restrictions, public gatherings remain limited, with liturgies broadcast live. The authorities expressed gratitude for the support and reaffirmed their commitment to preserving religious freedom and the Status Quo in the Holy Land.
Caritas Internationalis reports that Victoria, a resident of Dobropillya in eastern Ukraine, fled her home due to intensifying Russian shelling in early February. Police assisted her departure as the coal-mining town faced increased attacks. She traveled with her cat, Malyuk, first to an evacuation center in Oleksandrivka, then to Pavlohrad, and finally to Poltava in central Ukraine. There, she was reunited with her daughter and grandson. The outlet notes that many residents feel unsafe and unlikely to return home as the psychological and physical toll of the war mounts in the Donbas region.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a prominent activist leads initiatives to empower women through Caritas programs. She previously directed a center in a major city, rebuilding it to foster economic resilience and leadership. Initiatives include projects encouraging local parish development and over 1,000 savings groups supported by international partners to help women start businesses. The organization also operates safe houses to provide confidential counseling for survivors of violence and witchcraft accusations. Despite being in exile, she continues to support these community-building efforts online, aiming to transform societies through women's solidarity and resource management.
Caritas Internationalis issued a statement for International Women’s Day, urging global action to advance gender equality and protect women’s dignity. The organization highlights that women hold only 64 percent of the legal rights enjoyed by men, a gap that would take 286 years to close at the current pace. Vice President Mena Antonio and Secretary General Alistair Dutton emphasized that women are essential leaders in communities and humanitarian responses. They stressed that safeguarding women from violence and exploitation during conflicts and crises is a moral imperative, not optional. Caritas reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women’s leadership and inclusion despite financial constraints in the development sector.
Caritas Internationalis reports that a workshop in San Salvador, El Salvador, trained twenty women from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras as facilitators for the GAM methodology. The program, developed by Catholic Relief Services, helps women overcome discrimination and violence through collective support groups. Mari Salgado, a Honduran migrant and disability advocate, was certified as a facilitator on October 15, 2022. She plans to replicate the training in her community. Studies cited by the outlet indicate that GAM significantly reduces physical violence and improves participants' mental well-being and resilience across the Latin America and Caribbean region.
Caritas MONA warns that Lebanon’s humanitarian situation remains critical despite a November 2024 ceasefire with Israel. The group reports continued Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks in southern villages, including Bint Jbeil and Yaroun, which have damaged homes and infrastructure. The use of high-concentration herbicides on farmland threatens food security and public health. UN entities highlight dangers from unexploded ordnance and internal displacement. Caritas calls for civilian protection, diplomatic efforts, and respect for international law, noting the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV who urged Lebanon to stand up for justice and peace.
Caritas Internationalis has expressed deep concern regarding the escalating armed conflict in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. The organization stands in solidarity with the Lebanese people, echoing a call for peace issued by the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon. According to the outlet, the violence has resulted in lost innocent lives, displaced families, and renewed humanitarian suffering for vulnerable communities. Caritas Internationalis urges an immediate end to the spiral of violence to alleviate the instability and fear affecting the region. The group emphasizes its support for those enduring hardship during this difficult period.
Following renewed hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border on March 2, 2026, Caritas Lebanon declared a state of emergency. Israeli airstrikes in South Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut killed at least 52 people and wounded 154. The organization is coordinating with authorities to assist over 32,000 displaced individuals. Medical clinics and food distribution points have been activated in overcrowded shelters. Caritas Lebanon warns that displacement could exceed one million and urges global support as aid mechanisms become overstretched amid the escalating conflict.
Caritas Internationalis has condemned recent military strikes involving major powers in the Middle East, as well as retaliatory attacks on several neighboring nations. The organization states these actions violate international law and endanger civilians. In response to the escalating violence, Caritas supports the Pope’s appeal for immediate restraint and dialogue. The Pope urged all parties to halt the spiral of violence and prioritize diplomacy to protect innocent lives. Caritas emphasizes that justice and human dignity must guide leaders in this critical moment to prevent further tragedy in the region.
Fr Vyacheslav Grynevych, executive director of Caritas Spes Ukraine, warns that international attention is waning as the conflict enters its fifth year. He highlights three priorities for 2026: maintaining emergency response, supporting civilians during winter power cuts, and ensuring project sustainability. The organization reports severe staff reductions and increased demand, with Kyiv soup kitchens serving five times more people. Grynevych urges a shift in media strategy to reflect the daily exhaustion of Ukrainians, emphasizing that humanitarian funding must keep pace with ongoing needs despite global fatigue.
Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine, states that four million people lack stable housing as the war enters its fifth year. According to official figures, civilian deaths in 2025 rose by at least 30 percent due to drone and missile strikes on major cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv. Caritas Ukraine is shifting focus from emergency relief to long-term solutions, including social housing and livelihood programs. The organization also emphasizes mental health support and community resilience. Stawnychy notes that international attention often overlooks the persistent daily hardships faced by civilians under constant threat.
Caritas Internationalis reports that the humanitarian situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate four years into the war. The organization states that over 4 million people have lost their homes and more than 10.8 million require assistance. Poverty is acute, with families becoming 15–20 percent more dependent on external support compared to early 2024. Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Ukraine are leading the response, focusing on emergency aid, winter support, and sustainable housing solutions. Executive Director Father Vyacheslav Grynevych notes a sharp rise in soup kitchen beneficiaries, while President Tetiana Stawnychy emphasizes the need for long-term housing plans. The group warns of growing humanitarian fatigue and calls for sustained global solidarity to address these escalating needs.
The CINGO Working Group on Migration, Refugees and Human Trafficking delivered a statement at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 16. The group, represented by the International Catholic Migration Commission, condemned policies that criminalize solidarity and scapegoat migrants. They expressed alarm over border externalization strategies that lead to arbitrary detention and family separation. The statement cited Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on migrant dignity and called on governments to adopt measures against xenophobia and uphold the Global Compact for Migration. The group urged accountability and fact-based narratives regarding migration.
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