Women carrying water in Abala district, Niger where Caritas is helping improve wells for use by locals and Malian refugees.

Saving lives, reducing suffering, maintaining dignity

 

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Emergencies

Saving lives, reducing suffering, maintaining dignity
Photo: Jean-Philippe Debus/Catholic Relief Services

Caritas responds to emergencies around the world. We aim to save lives, reduce suffering, and maintain human dignity as we show our solidarity and shared humanity with those who suffer, and meet their basic needs – regardless of ethnicity, religion or nationality.

Women carrying water in Abala district, Niger where Caritas is helping improve wells for use by locals and Malian refugees.

We respond to needs and requests of our development partners and through the Caritas Internationalis confederation. This consists of 168 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies working in more than 200 countries and teritories. Wherever a disaster occurs, one of our partners will be there, coordinating local people and supplies to provide an effective and efficient response.

Emergencies

Women carrying water in Abala district, Niger where Caritas is helping improve wells for use by locals and Malian refugees.

Sahel (West Africa) drought

About 15 million people are at risk as the Sahel region in Western Africa faces severe food shortages. Caritas has launched an appeal and pledged $50,000. Action is needed now.

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A woman who belongs to a women's farming collective.

Horn of Africa crisis

In 2011 the Horn of Africa had the worst drought in 60 years. Donor support from New Zealand, including the New Zealand government, contributed more than $560,000 to a multi-million dollar international Caritas response to the crisis.

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St Anne's Catholic school, Christchurch.

Christchurch quake

Caritas has raised over a million dollars to support vulnerable people following the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011. We are using this money to support programmes that help Christchurch people get back on their feet.

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Flooding in the Navakai informal settlement, January 2012.

Fiji floods 2012

Caritas partners in Fiji are assessing needs as severe floods again hit western Fiji in early April.

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A woman carrying water at Ban Kwai/Nai Soi camp on the Thai Burma border

Long-term emergencies

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 A woman and her son walk past flood water going to her family's makeshift camp in Sindh province, Pakistan.

Pakistan floods 2011

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A family in a permanent shelter in Salea'a'umua village with Caritas Samoa director Tini Tuala.

Past emergencies

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