Caritas Australia is part of a global network that spans over 200 countries and territories. For over 110 years, Caritas has worked towards the creation of a just world. In 1964, Caritas began in Australia. A Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, Caritas is Latin for love + compassion – two qualities which are central to our work.
One of the largest international humanitarian networks, Caritas assists people regardless of their ethnicity, political beliefs, gender or religion.
Before, during and after the headlines, Caritas is working to uphold the human dignity of those at greatest risk. And whether natural disasters or humanitarian crises capture the public’s attention or not, we remain committed to respond with compassion.
The organisation provides a beacon of hope for millions of children, women and men in times of hardship and contributes to the development of social justice in times of peace.
Caritas’ role is large and varied, and includes integral development, emergency relief, advocacy, peacebuilding, respect for human rights, and support for stewardship of the planet’s environment and resources.
Our Approach
The Caritas approach is based on Catholic Social Teaching which focuses on the dignity of the human person. Caritas Australia is committed to building a just world by empowering local organisations and enabling the world’s most vulnerable communities to be the architects of their own future.
A commitment to working at the grassroots underpins our capacity to ensure that development initiatives reach the most marginalised populations. We also assist the world’s poorest to access a greater share of resources, encouraging environmental sustainability, equity and respect.
Caritas Australia is committed to:
Our Reach
The organization’s worldwide network and international partners are able to identify issues at the grassroots, analyse them at national and international levels, and then take action locally, regionally and globally.
Caritas Australia works in over 30 countries, including Indigenous Australia. We support development programs in:
Latin America: Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Peru
Africa: Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam, East Timor
Pacific: Bougainville, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
