Humanitarian emergency in Lebanon reaches crisis point
07 Sep 21
Lebanon has reached boiling point due to an enduring a series of crises that have been escalating over the past 18 months. Today, the population faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with the country rapidly running out of power, water, fuel, medicine and food.
Afghanistan plunged into greater chaos, as thousands face displacement, poverty and COVID-19
03 Sep 21
The situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, with decades of political and civil unrest, drought and economic instability leaving a devastating toll on a country that now faces even more uncertainty.
World Humanitarian Day: humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
19 Aug 21
Afghanistan is facing an unfolding humanitarian crisis, giving a tragic relevance to this year’s World Humanitarian Day.
Be a champion for vulnerable women by participating in Women for the World!
17 Aug 21
Around the world, millions of women and girls continue to live in poverty, facing the challenges of gender inequality and discrimination, with poor or limited access to health care and education. But you can help change that.
A partnership that pays off
16 Aug 21
An increasing number of communities throughout Australia are set to reap the reward of a partnership that’s been struck between Caritas Australia and the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation.
Major earthquake in Haiti causes widespread destruction
15 Aug 21
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the south of Haiti on Saturday August 14, causing widespread destruction, reducing buildings to rubble and causing at least 300 deaths.
A message from Bangladesh's flooded refugee camps
11 Aug 21
A message from the field, following weeks of floods, which have hit Bangladesh's Cox's refugee camps hard.
Inmanuel Chayan Biswas, Head of Operations, Emergency Response program for Caritas Bangladesh, says thousands of Rohingya refugees have been displaced, their shelters damaged and food is now in short supply.
Recovery and resilience in Lebanon one year after the Beirut blast
05 Aug 21
A year ago, a tragic explosion in Beirut killed over 200 people, injured more than 7,500 and left about 300,000 homeless. The blast occurred at a time when the Lebanese economy was in freefall and COVID-19 was sweeping across the nation.
COVID-19 impact on the Pacific
03 Aug 21
Q & A with Emma Dawson, Pacific Program Manager, Caritas Australia. In the first year of the pandemic, the Pacific was quite lucky in that most countries almost went a year without any COVID-19 cases. In 2021, we’ve seen really concerning rises in the number of confirmed cases, particularly in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. This has had a big impact on their flailing health systems, poverty levels and their economies, and we have also been seeing a rise in cases of gender-based violence.
Indonesia battles devastating second wave of COVID-19 outbreak
01 Aug 21
Indonesia has recorded its highest daily death toll from Covid-19, amid a second serious outbreak of COVID-19. As it continues to battle the spread of the virulent Delta variant, with your support, we’re working on the ground to help the most vulnerable, marginalized communities.
World faces most significant increase in hunger in decades
30 Jul 21
World faces most significant increase in hunger in decades
A report released by the UN this month shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the most significant increase in world hunger in decades, with global hunger increasing last year by 18 per cent compared to the year before.
Cambodian prisoners learn new skills for World Day against Trafficking in Persons
30 Jul 21
This World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, Caritas Australia celebrates its partner, Caritas Cambodia, working to help prevent human trafficking.
Tackling gender inequality and discrimination through Women for the World
28 Jul 21
Women for the World brings Australians together to support vulnerable woman and girls around the world. It’s an initiative that crosses borders, connects communities and creates lasting change.
Thousands still in urgent need, over a month after DRC's deadly volcano
06 Jul 21
Over a month has passed since a volcano erupted, killing at least 32 people and displacing over 400,000 more in the Democratic Republic of Congo, yet hundreds of thousands of people remain in urgent need.
Heal Country! NAIDOC Week Feature – Red Dust Healing
05 Jul 21
Founder of Red Dust Healing, Tom Powell, is concerned about Australia’s suicide rate and the impacts on families. Amid droughts, floods, bushfires, mouse plagues and COVID-19, many in regional areas of Australia, in particular, are doing it tough.
COVID-19 surges around the world amid low vaccination rates in vulnerable communities
05 Jul 21
As Australians line up for their COVID-19 vaccinations, the world’s most vulnerable communities continue to struggle with deadly outbreaks – with little hope of a vaccine in sight.
Misinformation and violence spikes in PNG as COVID-19 outbreak continues
01 Jul 21
In the wake of the devastating outbreak of COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea, the majority of communities in remote areas still have extremely limited knowledge of the virus and how to prevent its spread.
Celebrating Rohingya refugee communities in Cox’s Bazar for World Refugee Day
20 Jun 21
This World Refugee Day, we’re celebrating the Rohingya refugees working together to improve living conditions and community safety in Cox’s Bazar, the largest refugee camp in the world.
What does World Environment Day mean in 2021?
04 Jun 21
Today is World Environment Day, the United Nations day for encouraging global awareness and action to protect our shared environment.
Q&A with our local partner in the Democratic Republic of Congo - CAFOD'S Bernard Balibuno
31 May 21
Bernard Balibuno, who works for our local partner organisation, CAFOD, recently spoke to us about the current situation on the ground in the DRC.
India struggles with combined impact of COVID-19 and extreme cyclones
28 May 21
In addition to the devastating loss of life from COVID-19, the country has been hit by two extreme cyclones in as many weeks.
Celebrating our First Australian partnerships this National Reconciliation Week 2021
22 May 21
Take a look at the First Australian partners we work with, towards creating a more equitable and reconciled Australia.
Tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Timor-Leste
21 May 21
Every day, Timorese women like Martina seek refuge from domestic violence.
Violence escalates in Jerusalem and Gaza
17 May 21
Caritas Australia stands in solidarity with the people of Jerusalem and Gaza as the region experiences perhaps the worst outbreak of violent conflict in decades.
Latest budget disappoints on foreign aid
12 May 21
Last night’s Federal Budget was disappointing: it brought few new aid commitments, apart from a promise of support for India and the Pacific.
Caritas Australia welcomes over $350,000 raised by Catholic Health Australia and its members to support PNG during COVID-19 crisis
06 May 21
We welcome the incredible $356,200 that Catholic Health Australia members have raised to fight COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Q & A with Stephanie Lalor, our new First Australians Program Manager
04 May 21
Stephanie Lalor has worked at Caritas Australia for over ten years – as our Pacific Programs Manager and more recently as our First Australians Program Manager. She tells us about her inspiration and takes a look at the year ahead.
Cyclone season wreaks havoc in poor communities
30 Apr 21
In Timor-Leste, Indonesia and the Philippines, cyclone season, which occurs between October and May, swept through low-lying townships, developed cities and villages alike, with incredible force.
Australia sends support to India as country struggles to contain massive second outbreak of COVID-19
28 Apr 21
India is struggling to control a massive surge in COVID-19 cases, with a death toll nearing 200,000, after another 2771 deaths were reported on Tuesday.
Recovery and resilience in Timor-Leste
26 Apr 21
An estimated 2,000 households and over 9,000 people across Timor-Leste have been affected by intense floods caused by Tropical Cyclone Seroja in early April. The torrential rain and landslides destroyed critical infrastructure across the country and claimed the lives of 45 people.
Fiji in lockdown after first community-based transmission of COVID-19 in twelve months
23 Apr 21
Fiji’s two largest cities are in lockdown after the first reported case of COVID-19 community transmission in 12 months.
Timor-Leste and Indonesia appeal for support in the wake of devastating floods
07 Apr 21
Tropical Cyclone Seroja struck Timor-Leste and eastern parts of Indonesia on 4 April 2021, inundating the two countries with torrential rain.
Over 100 deaths after Tropical Cyclone Seroja and torrential rain lead to flooding and landslides in Timor-Leste and Indonesia
06 Apr 21
At least 113 people have been killed and dozens more are missing after Tropical Cyclone Seroja hit Indonesia and Timor-Leste on Sunday 4 April.
Looking back at Project Compassion 2021 across Australia
05 Apr 21
We've been thrilled to see the level of community support for Project Compassion this year shown through community events. Take a look at some of the recent community events that have made a difference.
Rither’s passion for our work in Tanzania
01 Apr 21
Rither Mallewo, Coordinator of the Tanzanian A+ Program in the Diocese of Mbulu Development Department (DMDD), speaks about the way that your support has enabled improved community development in Tanzania.
Ten years of conflict and displacement for millions of Syrians
31 Mar 21
On March 15 this year, the conflict in Syria turned 10 years old. The Syrian conflict has driven over 6.6 million Syrians to flee the country, and a further 6.7 million people to relocate due to conflict within the country.
Project Compassion: An Australian Icon
29 Mar 21
Since its inception in 1965, generations of compassionate Australians have participated in Project Compassion, making it one of the nation’s longest running charity campaigns.
45,000 homeless after fire in Rohingya refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar
25 Mar 21
On March 22, a massive fire swept through the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, leaving approximately 45,000 people homeless.
Voice from the Field: Ivy Khoury
23 Mar 21
Sr Ivy Khoury is Caritas Australia’s Program Coordinator for Africa, here’s what she had to say about the lifechanging impact your support enables across much of the continent.
Water is the drop of life | World Water Day 2021
22 Mar 21
On World Water Day, we celebrate water and raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.
Stepping up to support our neighbours in PNG in their fight against Coronavirus
18 Mar 21
On March 17, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia will ramp up support to Papua New Guinea, and allocate 8000 vaccines, as well as personal protective equipment and medical specialists to support the country in response to an alarming mass outbreak of COVID-19.
Wellbeing in Bangladesh: Halima’s story
17 Mar 21
Halima is raising two children in a refugee camp in Bangladesh, while caring for her mother who has a disability. Widowed at just 21, Halima fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017, arriving at the camp with nothing.
Improved health in Indonesia: Arsad’s story
10 Mar 21
Arsad, an Indonesian farmer, had no toilet in his home so he had to walk into the forest to the open defecation area, even at night or in the rain. Around 17 percent of Indonesia’s rural population practice open defecation, with many unaware that it contributes to spreading diseases.
Communities come together online and in person this Lent
09 Mar 21
All across Australia, you have joined the groundswell of support to 'Be More' for Project Compassion. The coronavirus pandemic has not stopped communities from connecting, virtually, or in person, to raise money for essential support and supplies for those poor communities most vulnerable to the disease.
Thriving in Tanzania: Oliva’s story
03 Mar 21
Oliva, a twenty-two-year-old woman living in Tanzania with her farmer husband, two young sons and an adopted niece and nephew, didn’t have the opportunity to go to school growing up.
Hope from the ashes: rebuilding Beirut after a devastating explosion
01 Mar 21
After a devastating explosion rocked a city and a society which was already facing enormous challenges, your support is helping to rebuild and restore livelihoods in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
Voice from the Field: Willy Tan
26 Feb 21
For Arsad in Indonesia, improved hygiene and infrastructure have improved his family’s health. Willy Tan, Caritas Australia’s Program Coordinator for Indonesia and the Philippines, explains how.
Security in the Solomon Islands: Margret’s story
24 Feb 21
Margret, is a teacher at a vocational school for deaf students in the Solomon Islands. She was born deaf so she knows the challenges it poses to education and employment.
Your support of community safety in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
23 Feb 21
DRC faces multiple threats, tackling new Ebola outbreak amidst fears of first COVID-19 era famine. Caritas Australia’s Africa Program Co-ordinator reflects on two decades of work in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its current situation
Caritas Australia stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar
18 Feb 21
Caritas Australia stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar during these particularly challenging times. We pray for all of the people in Myanmar, especially the vulnerable and marginalised communities who will be most severely impacted by the recent political upheavals.
Hope in an unlikely place: Jamila's story
18 Feb 21
Jamila, a twenty-two-year old single mother, lives in the world’s largest refugee camp in in Bangladesh. A Rohingya woman, she fled the armed conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to save herself, her elderly mother and eight-month-old baby daughter.
Lockdowns no barrier to communities striving to ‘Be More’ with Project Compassion 2021
17 Feb 21
At a time of such upheaval and challenge across the globe, possibly the greatest world-wide challenges since the inception of Project Compassion, Caritas Australia encourages all Australians to ‘Be More’ this year to help vulnerable communities.
Caritas India receives prestigious Mahatma Gandhi award for its response to COVID-19
09 Feb 21
Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India, has recently been awarded the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Award 2020 for COVID-19 Humanitarian Efforts.
The award recognises the tireless work of Caritas India during the pandemic to reach the most vulnerable communities.
Caritas Australia responds to emergencies across Fiji, Indonesia and Tonga
25 Jan 21
Natural disasters, including two cyclones and an earthquake, have struck the Asia-Pacfic in recent months, with already vulnerable communities struggling to deal with displacement and upheaval, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tropical Cyclone Yasa makes for a ‘tough Christmas’ across the Pacific
18 Dec 20
The intensity of Cyclone Yasa, which made landfall at 6pm Thursday December 17 on the second of Fiji’s main islands, Vanua Levu, while also crossing a number of smaller islands, has shocked villagers and upended entire communities.
Human trafficking is a global problem
10 Dec 20
As part of Human Rights Day, we are looking at human trafficking, and the vital importance of universal human rights to prevent the exploitation of people through trafficking.
International Day of People with Disability
03 Dec 20
On International Day of People with Disability, we would like to share the inspirational story of nine year old Phuong from Vietnam.
Hope from crisis: Lebanon two months after the Beirut explosion
18 Nov 20
More than two months after the explosion that tore through Beirut, killing over 100 people, wounding over 5000 and leaving over 300,000 homeless, the Caritas network, through your support, is on the ground responding to ongoing and urgent needs.
DRC faces multiple threats, amidst fears of first COVID-19 era famine
12 Nov 20
Caritas Australia’s Africa Program Co-ordinator reflects on two decades of work in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its current situation with COVID-19, Ebola outbreaks and the looming food crisis.
Typhoon Goni wreaks havoc across Manide indigenous lands in the Philippines
11 Nov 20
Typhoon Goni struck Luzon Island in the Philippines last week – the world’s strongest storm this year killing at least 20 people and affecting over 400,000 people, many of whom remain in evacuation centres over a week later.