Contacts:
Caritas Croatia
Kaptol 26, Zagreb
+385 1 481 20 22
+385 1 481 21 03
caritas.croatia@caritas.hr
www.caritas.hr
News
Pakistan flood victims share horror
“Fever has gripped me since the raging waters swept away our mud house. I have never been that terrified in my life”. Gamul Mai developed a high fever after escaping a three feet water wave in her village in Sindh, Pakistan.
“We were sleeping when I heard screams that the embankment is breached. At first I thought that we are going to die. However, we managed to escape with charpoys and my six grand children”, she said.
Mai, 60, is one of the 200 beneficiaries who received food items and mosquito nets from Caritas Pakistan during a distribution in Khewali, one of the flood stricken villages in Kashmore district, Sindh province.
Mai also visits the same health centre with her two young nieces suffering from malaria and skin allergies. The widow’s family now shares a small compartment with one of their family friends.
Similarly Ali Nawaz, a Muslim farmer, lost a year’s storage of wheat and ripened crops. “The sugar cane and rice fields were almost ready. Now whole of my irrigation land is under water”, he said.
The family of Nawaz, 42, now lives at a nearby protective dyke where they wait for the water to recede. Placing Caritas aid in his straw shed, he continued “Many organisations visit us, take photos and disappear. The Caritas Pakistan team stayed for several days and selected only the deserving. It’s a good deed”.
The Caritas Pakistan unit in Sindh, the worst affected province, has provided relief items to 400 families so far.
“We are dealing with the whole province except Karachi . It is an enormous region with language changing after every 10 km. Long travels and threat of dacoits in interior region are our greatest challenges,” said Shamas Shamaun, Executive Secretary, Hyderabad Diocese.
Meanwhile, the US government says about 23 percent of the country’s cropland — or 4.3 million acres — is underwater while more than 9 million people are in need of immediate support.
Credit: Kamran Chaudhry/Caritas Pakistan
// 13. 08. 2010
Six months after Chile quake
Interview with Lorenzo Figueroa, Secretary General of Caritas Chile
Temporary shelter in Maule provide by Caritas for survivors of the February earth quake.
Credits: Caritas Chile
Chile is getting back on its feet six months after the 27 February earthquake left millions without homes and in need of aid. Caritas responded immediately, providing food, shelter, warm clothing and compassion, reaching over a million people.
Now Caritas is switching to reconstruction and rehabilitation. But Lorenzo Figueroa, Secretary General of Caritas Chile, says there is an urgent need for a national plan from the government as winter approaches.
What have been the greatest challenges?
The earthquake affected a massive area, from Valparaíso to Araucania, in which almost 13 million people live. Over two million people were directly affected. It was difficult to assess the impact and identify the victims. Coupled with this, information wasn’t coming through from the government.
Caritas initially responded by providing people with water, food, clothes, shelter, hygiene goods, but also spiritual support. We’ve reached 210,000 of the most vulnerable families (over 1 million people).
Our teams were already on the ground from the very beginning of the disaster. We have a network of 250 parishes and 1500 churches which made reaching people early on much easier.
An ongoing challenge is how to make sure the world doesn’t forget about the victims of the earthquake and how to ensure continuing solidarity and hope for all these families.
How are people getting along six months after the disaster?
Six months after the earthquake and tsunami, the situation is still one of devastation and people still need a lot of help.
In the south there are still many aftershocks, some mild, some stronger. Even though people have returned to normality, they live with the fear of another earthquake. In the north, people are feeling more and more afraid when there is an aftershock as experts have predicted a big earthquake there.
Caritas is very concerned about the effect of the winter on the people made homeless by the earthquake. Around 40,000 temporary houses have been built. It’s cold, there’s rain, wind and snow, and for thousands of families living in such conditions and relying on aid, they have to put up with leaks and collapsing roofs and difficult living conditions.
People living in camps face inadequate hygiene conditions. Also, damage to hospitals means that people don’t always get the treatment they need if they do fall ill.
There’s frustration that no reconstruction plan with the participation of citizens has been drawn up and also at how long reconstruction is taking.
What is Caritas Chile doing to help people now?
We’re now focusing on rehabilitation and reconstruction. We’re working on housing, skills training and helping communities regaining their dignity. Now that it’s winter in Chile, we’re also ensuring people have things such as heaters.
A part of our work is supporting families in some sort of economic activity, or enabling them to buy tools or materials that they lost in the earthquake but which they need to do their job. We’re currently trying to help families so they become more independent. The challenge in this is to tailor our programmes so they respond to the specific needs of individual communities.
How important was the support of the Caritas network following the Chile earthquake?
Caritas Internationalis gave an enormous amount of solidarity in many different ways such as with staff, funding, technical assistance, helping get aid in from other countries and in many other ways. But more than this, it helped us not to feel alone in our efforts. The Caritas family was there for us and ready to give us help.
In the first week following the earthquake, Caritas representatives visited us and helped us in our work on the ground. With their help, we presented an emergency appeal for € 9.364.667 ($ 6.555.267.039) in March. That money gave a big boost to our programmes immediately following the emergency and now that we’re in the rehabilitation phase.The work that we did, that brought help and hope to thousands of families wouldn’t have been possible without the Caritas family.
What important lessons did it learn through this experience?
The main things we learned as a result of the earthquake was the need to strengthen Caritas teams on the ground and at national and diocesan level to make them more efficient and effective, the importance of local community involvement, the need for prevention programmes, the value of volunteers, the importance of effective fundraising, and that the marginalisation of vulnerable people in disasters should be tackled and dignity promoted.
Are there any positive signs for the future?
It is the people affected by the earthquake themselves who are offering positive signs. Despite their loss and pain, they have managed to get back on their feet and mend their houses and go back to work. We hope for a better tomorrow and for faith and gratitude to the Lord for the gift of life. The Chilean people have shown that they can rise above adversity. And the swell of solidarity which has been shown through the work of numerous volunteers and also by massive generosity from both home and abroad is another sign of hope.
// 31. 08. 2010
Pakistan’s bishops call for Christian solidarity in the face of floods
Joint appeal of the catholic bishops of Pakistan for disaster relief action
Our country is facing the biggest natural disaster in its history. The super floods of the mighty River Indus have brought death and wide spread destruction – over 15 million people have been affected and lakhs of homes have been washed away by the raging waters. We stand in solidarity with those who have suffered in this national tragedy.
What is our Christian response in the face of such an enormous disaster? We are followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. He taught us that love is the most important commandment. “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). To live as a Christian means to stand up and actively promote love, mercy and compassion, especially for those who are hungry and in extreme need.
In this critical moment of national tragedy, it is our Christian duty to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim and Hindu brethren and face the common calamity with courage and determination. We your religious leaders want to mobilize our limited resources in doing what we can to alleviate the sufferings of the many displaced persons.
We Bishops appeal to all our members to come forward and help the flood-hit people with cooked foods or dry rations, and also provide tents for shelter and medicines against cholera and other diseases. Our youth are urged to serve as volunteers in relief camps.
We also call for a Day of Prayer on Tuesday, 24th August 2010 in all churches in the country. If possible a Holy Hour of Adoration could be arranged when Christians will pray earnestly that the Almighty Provider may have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and failures and save us from further harm and destruction. We also instruct the priests to recite every day the special prayer in the daily missal “in time of storms and floods”.
In this dark moment we must not lose hope but put our full trust in God who reminds us “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God “(Isaias 41:10)
This appeal is to be read out in all the churches on Sunday, 22nd August 2010.
In the end we invoke our solemn Episcopal blessing upon our beloved motherland and wish it peace, unity and prosperity.
Your devoted Shepherds in Christ,
† Lawrence Saldanha
President, Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference &
The Catholic Bishops of Pakistan
// 26. 08. 2010
More money needed for Pakistana
Caritas Rawalpindi distributed 230 relief packages in Nowshera, the most affected city, the relief package comprised of Kitchen sets, Hygiene Kits, bedding sets (4mattresses, 4 pillows and 4 bed sheets).
Caritas is urging donors to boost support to operations in Pakistan following floods that have affected 17 million people.
Caritas will appeal for funds to extend its three month emergency operation to six months. Caritas is concerned that large numbers of people have not yet been reached.
“An enormous number of people need help and Caritas is boosting its operations to ensure they are taken care of. Funds have been promised for current operations but we need to ensure that this money is donated and is transformed into food, tents, water and medicine as soon as possible and before the situation deteriorates further,” says Anila Gill, national director of Caritas Pakistan.
Over 1,500 people have died so far in the flooding. Many more are at risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera and stomach problems.
The challenges presented by the floods are enormous. Some areas are still inaccessible. The number of people who need help is massive. Prices of food and petrol have shot up as supply has been strangled by the floods.
Caritas has been providing food, water, shelter, hygiene and cooking items, as well as medical support in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh.
Caritas is also working with communities to identify infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and irrigation channels, that needs to be rebuilt. By doing this it will reconnect people to markets and other services.
A US$5.5 million (4.3 million euro) emergency appeal for funds was launched by Caritas in the early days of the disaster. However, as the number of needy expands rapidly, Caritas is planning to ask for almost double this.
As Pakistani’s struggle with the loss of their homes, possessions and livelihoods, their one hope is that the floods will subside before the planting season in September. If farmers are unable to plant because fields are water-logged, this increases the possibility of a hunger crisis brought on by poor crops at harvesting time.
Credits: Caritas Pakistan
// 25. 08. 2010
Life as a Caritas aid worker in the Pakistan floods
Fotografija:
For Ameen Babar the working days are long, there are no days off in sight and no plans for a holiday.
As Disaster Management Programme Coordinator with Caritas Pakistan in Faisalabad, his days are filled by trips to areas devastated by rainstorms and flashfloods. With road networks destroyed or submerged under water, travelling to these places is not at all easy.
“Sometimes you even have to wade through waist-deep water, not knowing where you are going to end up,” says Ameen.
Pakistan is currently facing the worst floods in 80 years. Millions of people are affected. Around eight million people need help with shelter, food, water and medicines.
Ameen’s job requires him to prepare communities to survive disasters, assess damage, draw up appeals for funds for the national Caritas office and assure supplies of relief goods reach the most vulnerable people. He also has to monitor the work of local aid workers as well as paying visits to places falling within his office jurisdiction.
None of these tasks have been simple for him during the flood crisis. Even the buying of relief goods from local vendors needs special skills.
“The rates they quote change every couple of hours as these goods are high in demand nowadays,” he says.
Ameen stands by the truckload of relief goods at Rehampur village in Okara district, around 100 kilometres from the Faisalabad office where he is based. The village was battered by heavy rains last month resulting in the partial or total damage to houses and crops, injuries and also the death of a 14-year old girl, Shama.
Some women gather around him. They are frustrated that they aren’t on the distribution list. Ameen says that these difficulties occur when people don’t register during assessments.
“The goods are distributed only among the registered people who bring their identity cards as well as the token issued to them at the time of assessment. The recipients are required to give their thumb print on a form prescribed for this purpose,” he says adding, “Transparency has to be ensured and that’s why I am here.”
The relief goods brought for distribution include basic food supplies and bottled water - enough for 15 days - and other household items such as cooking pots and dishes.
“We are out here to meet people’s most pressing needs,” says Ameen.
Sometimes the transporting of relief goods can become life-threatening, says Ameen who, along with his team members, routinely receives training in how to counter attacks on convoys.
“You can expect anything at a place where sheer hunger and destitution prevail,” he says.
Ameen recalls how his team had to face a gang of men who threatened to take the relief goods at gunpoint. The incident took place during a distribution at Gojra - a flooded town near Faisalabad. “Our team members managed to save themselves and the goods without violence thanks to the skills they learnt in training,” says Ameen.
By Shahzada Irfan
// 25. 08. 2010
“LET THER BE more light” continues over the holidays too…
Even though the school year is behind us, RI teacher Marko Karčić from the „Mario Martinolić“ primary school in Mali Lošinj wrote to us to tell us how students at his school organised yet another campaign of solidarity.
At the request of a fellow teacher from Slavonia whose family is in a pretty poor financial state and another teacher from Istria who suffered severe injuries after a car accident, Marko initiated a special fund raising campaign amongst his students by selling products donated to the school for this purpose by Caritas Croatia from its „For 1000 Joys“ campaign consisting of t-shirts, tags and other products.
We wish to express our gratitude to Marko and all those hundreds of teachers and thousands of students throughout Croatia as well as all people of good will who despite being on holidays have not neglected to bring more light and hope into the lives of those in need.
// 28. 07. 2010
President of Caritas Europe Fr. Erny Gillen visits Haiti
“The Haiti government has put its interests before that of the people”
Six months after an earthquake shattered Haiti, Caritas Europa president Fr. Erny Gillen visited Haiti. “There has been a great deal of criticism against the Haitian government and how it has handled the crisis. I thought it was best that I visit Haiti myself and evaluate how the situation in the country is affecting the work of the Caritas network”, Fr. Gillen said explaining the purpose of his visit to Haiti.
Caritas staff in Haiti believe that the Haitian government is not able to respond to their capacities in offering assistance and is limiting the effectiveness not only the Caritas network but all NGO’s in the region which is hampering efforts for the Haitian people to start living “normally” again.
“The first thing that got to me when I arrived in Port-Au-Prince was that even though six months had gone by everything looks like the earthquake happened only a few days before”, Gillen commented adding that “people are still living in tents donated to them by NGO’s while the capital Port-Au-Prince is covered with tonnes and tonnes of ruins”.
Outside the capital things seem to be a little better. “In towns where reconstruction is being left up to the people themselves and NGO’s there is a positive feeling and the entire reconstruction process is functioning well”, Gillen explained. Caritas has already begun building earthquake prone houses in these areas and at the same time helping thousands of families who have taken in refugees and are involved in the reconstruction of schools, hospitals, orphanages.
However, the Haitian people and NGO’s that are involved in reconstruction are in need of a more active role by the government. “The international community promised 75 billion USD to help Haiti and set the Haitian government with certain conditions to prepare and action plan for the distribution of aid. Haitian President Préval however thinks differently – the international community does not have the right to “tell” the Haitian Government how it will spend this money.
Unfortunately, the Haitian government has put its own interests before the interest of the people. It seems that the international community is the only factor strong enough to “compel” the Haitian government to take action”, Gillen said.
Immediately after the earthquake, several European Caritas organisations and the global Caritas network secured food for 1.5 million people, tents for temporary shelter for more than 160,000 people and an hundred thousand first aid kits, cooking sets and sanitary articles and medical aids.
Millions were left homeless and are living in temporary camps. However, it was obvious very quickly that these camps were inadequate when the rainy season started and as the situation deteriorated. The camps turned into huge unhealthy mud pools without drinking water, toilet facilities and no sewage system. Caritas invested a great deal of effort and funds to improve the hygiene conditions in the camps, putting in place temporary lavatories, showers and wash basins and supplied drinking water.
“I don’t exactly remember when Catholic Relief Services (US Caritas and Caritas Great Britain’s partner in Haiti) built these bathrooms but I do remember that we didn’t have to go behind the trees anymore. Now we can wash our children and cook without first having to search for water”, says Lucienne Lampa – a mother of four.
In the aftermath of the earthquake that lasted for only a few minutes killing 230,000 people and a hundred thousand wounded, it was detrimental that we deliver medical supplies as quickly as possible. Caritas medical staff conducted thousands of surgeries and other medical services which cannot even be counted. Caritas began immediately to offer psychological aid which was particularly important considering that more than a million children experienced terrible traumas.
Caritas organisations from several European countries have launched projects in Haiti to return people to work and children to school which seems to have set some economic activities in motion and the country is beginning to revive.
Several Caritas organisations from Europe have committed themselves to not only short-term but long-term programmes of revival in Haiti to build a better country which can only be possible by involving the Haitian people themselves.
// 23. 07. 2010
Fr. Fabijan Svalina – Appointed Acting Director of Caritas Croatia
On 15 July 2010, Fr. Fabijan Svalina took up the office of the Acting Director of Caritas Croatia in Zagreb. Former Director Fr. Ivan Milovčić has returned to his base diocese in Krk where he is to take up office as the Director of the Krk Diocesan Caritas and the duties of the parish priest in Vrh.
Fr. Fabijan Svalina was born in Đakovo, in 1971. In 1997 he graduated and the same year was ordained in the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese. In addition to the position of acting director of Caritas Croatia Fr. Svalina is the Secretary-General of the Croatian Conference of Bishops.
// 19. 07. 2010
Yet another Non-Profit Management and Social Advocacy specialist
On 5 July 2010, Monika Puljić successfully defended her master’s thesis at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Catholic Theology in the post-graduate specialist study of “Management of Non-Profit Organisations and Social Advocacy”.
The topic of her thesis was: “Advocating for human rights and society’s solidarity – a precondition to creating a world the measure of humans”. This means that Monika Puljić has obtained qualifications as a Specialist in non-profit management and social advocacy.
The examination committee consisted of Professor Ivan Karlić, Dr.Sc. – presiding and committee members Professor Stjepan Baloban, Dr. Sc. who was also Ms. Puljić’s mentor and finally Professor Marijan Biškup, Dr. Sc.
This inter-disciplinary post-graduate study – “Management of Non-Profit Organisations and Social Advocacy” was launched in 2004 as a result of Caritas Croatia’s vision to advance the professional experience and management of ecclesiastic and other civil non-profit organisations. The study is administered adn conducted in cooperation with the Faculty of Catholic Theology.
// 19. 07. 2010
The Family – the foundation of society
Caritas Croatia organised another session of Church Family Counselling Centres from the Zagreb and Rijeka Archdiocesan Caritases which was held on 9 July 2010. Nikolina Jurić and Ana Štimac from the Zagreb Family Counselling Centre pointed out that in the brief period the centre has operated beneficiaries have come to recognise its value to individuals, families, married couples and the local community.
The Centre published an information leaflet to inform the local community of its activities. The Zagreb Archdiocesan Caritas Family Counselling Centre is planning to organise a convention in September 2010 with the desire to promote the family as the foundation of society. Caritas Croatia will offer its organisational experience in helping to organise the convention.
The Director of the “Sv. Ana” Caritas Home for Women and Children – Victims of Family Violence and counsellor Sr. Suzana Samardžić stressed the importance of continual training for counsellors. She and her colleagues intend to attend training sessions being organised in Zagreb, Osijek and Mostar.
The head of social projects and the Social Welfare Section of Caritas Croatia Nedjeljko Marković, spoke about the Quality standards of social services in social welfare that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare adopted in May 2010. The Ministry is currently working on amendments to the Law on Social Welfare and the Standards so that they become binding for all institutional and out of institutional organisations involved in social welfare services.
At the regular supervisory session headed by psychologist Zdenka Pantić, counsellors exchanged their experiences in caring for individuals and families.
Supervisory sessions organised by Caritas Croatia are possible due to the kind donation of the Adris Foundation.
// 09. 07. 2010
Caritas of the Split – Makarska Archdiocese launches their “Safe House” project
A meeting was held in Split on 25 May 2010 regarding the launching of a project under the auspices of the Split-Makarska Archdiocesan Caritas (SMN Caritas). Caritas plans to open a “Safe House” for women and children who are victims of family violence. The project was initiated late 2009. Opening the meeting, director of SMN Caritas Slavko Jerončić thanked representatives of major towns and municipalities in the county for their support for this project.
“The majority of the 16 towns and 30 municipalities in our county recognised the value of this project and expressed their willingness to offer support to realise the project so we believe that our “Safe House” will open its doors in 2011”, Mr. Jerončić said.
Deputy County Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County Luka Brčić spoke on behalf of County Prefect and his own expressing the County administration’s willingness to support this valuable project and suggested that Caritas SMN submit an application for funding from the County to be advertised in October this year.
Romana Škrabić, the head of the Social Welfare, Health Protection and Cooperation with War Veterans and veterans’ associations and Vedran Mardešić from the City of Split, Office for Combating Addictions welcomed Caritas’ involvement in founding the safe house for victims of family violence and pledged their support to Caritas’ project. They too suggested that Mr. Jerončić should send an application for funding when the City of Split releases its next round of funding in September.
Ivna Čevra from Caritas SMN then informed the audience in more detail about the “Safe House” project and advised that Caritas was in the process of finding adequate premises for the safe house. She presented an example of a possible Agreement of future cooperation concerning the project for all those interested to inspect.
The head of the Zagreb City Shelter for Victims of Family Violence – “Dome Duga” – spoke about the experiences of that shelter which has been active for 3 years. The shelter accepts victims from all over Croatia and intends soon to open another shelter to expand its capacities.
Miljenko Jukić and Nina Živković from Caritaša of the Šibenik Diocese informed those present of the work and activities of the “Safe House” that this Caritas has operated for the past 8 years. They emphasised the importance of cooperation with local county and city authorities as well as the relevant ministry.
Nedjeljko Marković from Caritas Croatia spoke about possible funding sources (for the construction of new premises or refurbishment of old premises) through funding from international sources via EU funds and that Caritas SMN should submit their project for international funding.
// 26. 05. 2010
Osijek Philosophy Students introduced to 2010 – European Year to for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Caritas Croatia held a lecture on Tuesday, 19 May 2010, entitled “Poverty and Solidarity” at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Osijek. The lecture introduced philosophy students with the activities of the Caritas network in Croatia and in particular activities dedicated to marking 2010 – European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
The lecture was organised by the Psychology Department, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Osijek in cooperation with Caritas of the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese and Caritas Croatia.
The lecture was launched by Acting Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek Prof. Višnja Pavičić Takač and the Head of the Psychology Department Dr. Anđelka Metzing.
Prof. Olja Družić Ljubotina and Romana Galić – who are currently heading the elective course in “Poverty and Solidarity” at the Psychology Deparment emphasised the importance of student encounters – future psychologists with experts and professionals who have daily experiences and are “struggling” with various dimensions of poverty and social exclusion – with the aim of offering better quality in training and raising awareness of these issues amongst future professionals.
A lecture of advocacy and offering development assistance on the local and international scene was prepared by Caritas Croatia’s Head of the Social Projects Department and Social Welfare Department and the Head of the Social Justice and Peace Department in Caritas Croatia, Nedjeljko Marković and Boris Peterlin.
Director of Đakovo-Osijek Caritas Fr. Ivica Rebić spoke about experiences in combating poverty and social exclusion in the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese. Ines Vrban the head of the “Zajednički put” (Joint Path) Foundation spoke about poverty amongst the elderly as well as programmes for the care of the elderly in Croatia which can be implemented through this foundation.
// 19. 05. 2010
Đakovo-Osijek Caritas promotes “Zero Poverty” campaign at the finals of the Catholic Youth Mini Soccer League in Slavonski Brod
At the finals of the Catholic Mini Soccer League (KMNL) held in Slavonski Brod on Saturday, 15.05.2010, Caritas of the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese promoted the “Zero Poverty” campaign marking 2010 – European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion launched by Caritas Europa. The best two teams in the regional league - Slavonski Brod, Vinkovci & Osijek qualified in the play off to decide the best team in the past season of a total of 34 teams that started off in this the eight season of the KMNL (Catholic Mini Soccer League) in the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese.
The tournament was preceded by Holy Mass at 1 p.m. in the Franciscan Monastery in Slavonski Brod and followed by lunch at 2 p.m. at the new Vijuš sports centre. The matches commenced at 3 p.m. as scheduled in the centre and matches were played with the final match scheduled at 7 p.m.
The Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocesan Caritas used this opportunity to promote the “Zero Poverty” campaign which is being promoted throughout 2010 - European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion.
The winning team was awarded with 0 Poverty t-shirts sponsored by the organisers of the KMNL.
The national finals will be held 4-6 June in Mosatr when the team will actively promote awareness amongst Croatian citizens of the poor and those in need in the country.
// 19. 05. 2010
Director of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Jude Fernando from Sri Lanka visits Croatia again
The director of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Jude Fernando, from Sri Lanka visited Caritas Croatia for the second time from 12 – 15 May 2010. Fr. Jude first visited Croatia in February 2009 when he also visited Međugorje.
During his second visit to Croatia on Thursday, 13 May Fr. Jude visited the Caritas-Osijek Archdiocese Caritas and toured the Đakovo cathedral after which he visited the war torn devastated town of Vukovar.
Fr. Fernando was received in the Archbishop’s Office by Archbishop Marin Srakić together with Caritas Croatia Director Fr. Ivan Milovčić, and the Director of Caritas Đakovo-Osijek, Fr. Ivica Rebić.
“I wanted once again to personally bring greetings from my Archbishop of Sri Lanka and thank the Croatian people for all the assistance we have received and for the cooperation established with Caritas Croatia and the aid sent to us after the tsunami that hit Sri Lanka in 2004 which significantly helped revive our community. The support we received from Croatia was particularly significant in building houses for tsunami victims in our archdiocese”, Fr. Fernando said.
Relations between Caritas Croatia and Caritas of the Archdiocese of Colombo continued even after the tsunami and in particular in response to an appeal by the Archbishop of Sri Lanka for aid for refugees and victims of the war in 2009. Caritas Croatia then contributed towards the construction of a youth centre and for humanitarian aid for the victims of the war as well as adaptations of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre.
In addition to this work Fr. Fernando directs several other projects and programmes including a peace programme aimed at bringing Tamil and Singalese children closer together. This is now possible after the cease fire signed in Sri Lanka which ended the thirty year old war which destroyed the country.
During the reception Fr. Fernando invited Archbishop Srakić and Caritas Croatia staff to visit Sri Lanka during the 25th anniversary of Caritas Colombo which is being marked throughout this year. Archbishop Srakić supported the continuation of projects conducted by Caritas Colombo and a sign of support presented Fr. Jude with a donation towards these projects.
On the second day of his visit, Fr. Fernando visited the “House of Mercy” under the auspices of Caritas of Poreč-Pula Diocese in the town of Majmajoli near Vodnjan, Istria. This home houses children without proper parental care. Fr. Jude also visited the Cenacolo community in Novigrad near Umag which is home to 25 former drug addicts.
Fr. Jude visited the Pazin College where he was received by Poreč-Pula Bishop Msgr. Ivan Milovan. “Every Friday, we celebrate Holy Mass together with Caritas staff as a sign of gratitude for all our benefactors and of course then we always remember our benefactors from Croatia, its people, priests and bishops as well as Caritas staff whom we can thank only with our prayers”, Fr. Fernando said.
“As a nation we remember how important it was for us materially but even more so to feel the togetherness of people from all over the world who sent us their support and message that we were not alone. We then can empathise with the suffering of your people and wish to contribute towards relieving their suffering”, Msgr. Milovan said to his guest from Sri Lanka.
The friendship between Caritas Sri Lanka and Caritas Croatia began after the tsunami late 2004 which affected more than a dozen countries in South Asia and when then more than three hundred thousand people lost their lives. Caritas Croatia then organised a national fund raising campaign which turned out to be one of the biggest campaigns ever in support of Caritas Croatia’s international support. A total of 5.5 million kuna was raised then. The majority of these funds – 4.8 million kuna was then sent to Sri Lanka. Funds were also sent to Thailand, India and Indonesia.
The funds raised then by Caritas Croatia and sent to Sri Lanka was used to purchase tents, mattresses, water, food, gas cookers, water filters, children’s food, medicines, fishing boats – catamarans, fishing nets, school sets, uniforms and clothing for expectant mothers. Apart from the emergency aid forwarded funds were used to revive the community and survivors after the tsunami. In 2006 Caritas Croatia received a project from Caritas Colombo for a donation of 360,000 euro which was earmarked for the construction of 50 family homes for those who lost their homes in the tsunami. The total value of this project was 614,000 euro and the complex was funded jointly with Caritas Germany.
Apart from the construction of these houses it was necessary to purchase the land, build the infrastructure for the settlements and to cover administrative costs. Construction works were conducted by local builders and local villagers which helped revive the community.
The project was completed in April 2008 and that same year in October the “Cardinal Thomas Cooray” settlement was opened in honour of the only cardinal of Sri Lanka. The houses were then officially handed over to beneficiaries. On that occasion a delegation from Caritas Croatia visited Colombo and the settlement which is located in the near vicinity of the capital Colombo in a fishing village in the south of the country.
During his first visit to Croatia, Fr. Fernando visited the Varaždin Diocese where he met with Caritas Croatia President Msgr. Josip Mrzljak and President of Varaždin Caritas Msgr. Ivan Godina. On that occasion he visited the diocesan Caritas project home for handicapped children in Čakovec and the Caritas donation pharmacy.
On that occasion Fr. Fernando also visited the Rijeka Archdiocese and Krk Diocese. He toured the Trsat shrine to Our Lady, the Seminary in Rijeka and the island of Krk visiting Punat and Vrbnik. During that visit Fr. Fernando was received in a special audience by Cardinal Josip Bozanić and made a special guest appearance on Croatian Catholic Radio.
// 17. 05. 2010
Workshop for parish Caritas leaders, members and volunteers of the Zagreb Archdiocese
Caritas Croatia is organising the following workshops for parish Caritas leaders, members and volunteers in the Zagreb Archdiocese:
- Recruitment, training & supervision of volunteers
- Funding raising
- Project writing
- Observation of poverty and parish community resources
The workshops will be held Thursdays and Fridays from 4 – 8 p.m. The workshops will be for up to 15 participants in the plenary sessions and then divided into smaller working groups.
The workshops will be held in the premises of Caritas Croatia, Kaptol 26, Zagreb at the following times:
- 20 & 21 May 2010 (applications by 18 May)
- 27 & 28 May 2010 (applications by 25 May)
- 10 & 11 June 2010 (applications by 8 June)
- 17 & 18 June 2010 (applications by 15 June)
Applications to attend these workshops should be submitted to Mr. Robert Futač at Caritas of the Zagreb Archdiocese at rfutac@czn.hr.
// 12. 05. 2010
Church based family counsellors promote family values in Croatia
At a working meeting of Church based family counsellors from Zagreb, Osijek, Varaždin and Zadar, held on 23 April 2010 in the premises of Caritas Croatia in Zagreb, counsellors discussed issues relating to problems in Croatian families and how the current economic crisis has affected and enhanced problems families are faced with.
Counsellors stressed the significance of family values and the support that these offer to family members and that it was vital to invest into the community with the aim of preventing various social problems. Poverty and social exclusion are a constituent part of the problem for individuals and families and Caritas Croatia – as part of its activities to mark 2010 – European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion – are focussing special attention to the work of these counselling centres.
Church based family counselling centres offer assistance to individuals and families in overcoming psychological problems; problems in communication and how to resolve everyday hardships related to marriage and the family, care of minors and other hardships related to illness, age and invalidity.
They stressed the importance of life-long learning and complete educational training for counsellors. Counsellors will continue to promote the work and activities of counselling centres with the aim of developing quality and a culture of pre-marital, marital and family relations in Croatia.
A regular supervisory session was held as part of permanent, life-long support to Church based family counsellors. These activities are part of Caritas Croatia’s activities supported financially by the Adris Foundation.
// 26. 04. 2010
Caritas Croatia’s campaign for survivors of the earthquake in China. Croatian Government donates 500,000 kuna
Caritas Croatia launched an emergency relief fund raising campaign for survivors of the earthquake that hit the western province of Qinghai in China near the Tibetan border on 15 April leaving at least 2,000 dead and more than 12,000 injured. The Croatian Government pledged 500,000 kuna toward the campaign. The Government adopted a decision at its session held on 22 April 2010.
Caritas Croatia is grateful to the Government and its readiness to support this campaign as it has done so on numerous other occasions for Caritas emergency relief as part of its international activities.
Caritas Jinde Charities reports that has managed to send staff and deliver vital aid to earthquake survivors in the Chinese Qinghai province despite snowy weather and transport difficulties. Aid efforts are implemented through a cooperation of Jinde, Caritas Germany and Xi’an Catholic Social Service Centre, paying particular attention to migrant workers settled around Daizha. Badly affected by the earthquake, migrant workers now face difficulties to receive aid since they do not have residence permits.
Caritas Croatia appeals to all citizens and companies in Croatia to show their solidarity with the survivors of this earthquake and to donate to the emergency relief fund.
- Making a payment to the Caritas account: HC-a kod PBZ-a
2340009 – 1100080340, poziv na broj 15 - By calling our donation line 060 9010 (price of one call (local) 6.15 kn,
VAT included) - Contributions at parishes throughout Croatia
- online donations
You can make a difference to this campaign by:
Caritas Croatia will support its partner Caritas Germany who has been working with the local Caritas organisation and in that way ensure that help is delivered to those who need it most.
// 23. 04. 2010
Quake aid arriving in China despite difficult weather
Badly affected by the earthquake, migrant workers now face difficulties to receive aid since they do not have residence permits.
Jinde Charities, supported by Caritas, has managed to send staff and deliver vital aid to earthquake survivors in the Chinese Qinghai province despite snowy weather and transport difficulties.
The remote region in North-West China was struck by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on 14 April, leaving more than 2,000 people dead and more than 12,000 wounded.
“Eight of our people have arrived in the earthquake region, the first were there two days after the quake. Among them are sisters who have special medical training or can offer counselling. Many of our staff have already worked with victims of the Sichuan earthquake two years ago,” reported Fr. Paul Han, vice director of Jinde Charities, from the coordination centre the charity set up in Chengdu, Sichuan.
A first truck load with relief goods, mainly emergency food and tents, has arrived in the disaster-stricken region. Caritas Taiwan immediately sent several hundred quilts, jackets and shoes. More aid is on the way, but difficult weather conditions and long distances make transport difficult.
“It is snowing, the roads are very slippery. Our staff have difficulties coping with the altitude. But we need to get aid to the people suffering from freezing temperatures up there. Aid is getting to the area around the epicentre, but people in the remote areas are suffering the most”, said Fr. Han.
Jinde’s aid focuses in particular on poor migrant workers in the Daizha village.
“In Daizha, where many migrant workers lived, 112 people were left dead so far out of a population of 12,000 people. The migrants’ housing conditions were poor, many of their houses collapsed,” said Fr. Han.
Badly affected by the earthquake, migrant workers now face difficulties to receive aid since they do not have residence permits.
Aid efforts are implemented through a cooperation of Jinde, Caritas Germany and Xi’an Catholic Social Service Center.
Caritas is still running capacity building programmes in the Sichuan province of China two years after a devastating earthquake left over 87,000 people dead.
// 22. 04. 2010
Food, tents, warm clothes needed in China after quake
Rescuers carry an injured man from the ruins after an earthquake at the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu, Qinghai province April 15, 2010. The death toll from the earthquake in China's remote and mountainous Yushu county, Qinghai province, has risen to 617, Xinhua news agency said on Thursday.
Credits: REUTERS/ Stringer
Interview with Fr Paul Han, vice director of Jinde Charities
“We have learned a lot from the Sichuan earthquake,” says Fr Paul Han, vice director of Jinde Charities in China. “We are much better prepared to respond to this latest disaster.”
It is a knowledge that Jinde Charities, which is supported by Caritas, hoped they would not have to ever use. But Wednesday’s Qinghai earthquake means that all they learned from Caritas member organisations following Sichuan will now be put to the test.
“We’re currently looking for a base to operate from in Qinghai. This will be a challenge as many buildings have been destroyed. We’re sending a small team in first of all. They will attend to basic needs, offer counselling and will evaluate how we can best help people,” says Fr Paul, who is based in Hebei Province.
Qinghai is a remote, mountainous province in north-west China near Tibet. Fr Paul says the great distance involved and also the altitude are problematic.
“It’s less than zero degrees at night as it’s still winter there. Many people are sleeping outside. It’s essential that we get food, tents, water, medical care and warm clothes to them as soon as possible,” he says.
Over six hundred people have now been confirmed dead as a result of the earthquake and over 10,000 are injured. However, some of the areas affected are isolated and haven’t yet been reached so these figures could rise.
Once Jinde has a better idea of how many people need help in Qinghai and what sort of things they need, they will coordinate religious congregations and lay people to attend to the needs in the area.
“We really appreciate the support of Caritas members, who have been in contact with us since the earthquake happened. In the long-run, we’re going to need their financial support so we can provide people with items such as food, clothes and medicines,” said Fr Paul.
“Following Sichuan, Caritas helped Jinde Charities through training and capacity building. They taught us how to do assessments following disasters, how to monitor progress and structure our work. It has really helped strengthen what we do,” he said.
// 16. 04. 2010
Caritas Croatia launches emergency relief appeal for earthquake survivors in China
100,000 kuna to go for emergency relief for medicines and temporary shelter
On Thursday 15 April Caritas Croatia launched an emergency relief campaign for the victims of an earthquake that struck the western province of Qinghai near the Tibetan border. It is reported that hundreds of people were killed in the powerful quake and more than 10,000 were injured. It is feared that this number could be much higher as many victims are still under the rubble. The area has been cut off due to roady cavinb in and all the telephone lines are down.
Caritas Croatia appeals to all citizens and companies in Croatia to show their solidarity toward the people of China who have been affectred by this tragic catastrophe and to contribute with their donations so that we can immediately respond to their immediate needs. Even though that we are aware of the difficult conditions most Croatia are faced with in these times of crisis, we nevertheless trust that it is important to show our sympathies and offer words of comfort and concrete assistance and encouragement from our homeland to help survivors after this latest tragedy in China.
- Making a payment to the Caritas account: HC-a kod PBZ-a
2340009 – 1100080340, poziv na broj 15 - By calling our donation line 060 9010 (price of one call (local) 6.15 kn,
VAT included) - Contributions at parishes throughout Croatia
- online donations
You can make a difference to this campaign by:
Caritas Croatia intends to send 100,000 kuna from its emergency relief fund to iad with the supply of medicial requirements and temporary shelter for survivors of the earthquake.
All funds raised will be sent through the Caritas Internationalis network which encompasses national Caritases from 162 countries and ensures logistic and operational support and later reconstruction after natural disasters. A team from Caritas Germany is has been working in the area with the local Caritas partner Jinde Charities.
As has been the case in numeours similar campaigns the Croatian Government has pledged that it will assist Caritas Croatia with a donation for this purpose.
// 15. 04. 2010
Progress in Haiti three months after earthquake
Caritas cash for work beneficiaries offloading a food truck at a distribution in Pétionville Club, Port-au-Prince
Progress is underway in Haiti as Caritas relief efforts have reached more than 1.5 million survivors three months after a devastating earthquake. The 12 January quake killed 230,000 people, destroyed infrastructure, affected three million people, and pushed a poor and underdeveloped country further into misery.
Caritas members from over 60 countries have been supporting relief efforts to provide food, shelter, livelihoods, clean water, a safe place for children to play and learn, healthcare, and trauma counselling. Caritas has spent over US $14 million (Euro 10 million) so far and plans to respond to the emergency in Haiti over the next five years to help Haitians build a self-sufficient country.
Caritas shelter programmes have provided 100,000 people with tents or tarpaulins in the capital Port-au-Prince, in Léogâne, Jacmel and other communities. Working with affected communities means providing meals for 1.5 million people, trucking in 30,000 gallons of clean water to four camps every day, building latrines and giving out hygiene kits, jerry cans, and water purification kits.
Caritas is also working with the international community on finding safer places for people at present in makeshift camps to move to while ensuring their rights are respected. To prepare Haiti’s regions for an influx of 600,000 displaced people from the capital, Caritas has distributed emergency food aid in areas preparing for an influx of 600,000 people.
Caritas cash-for-work programmes have employed 2,000 Haitians since the quake. Canals posing a serious health threat in Solino camp in Port-au-Prince have been cleared. A home for the elderly and the disabled and a primary school in Léogâne have been made safe for use. Hiring people to help clean up also injects cash into the local economy.
Over 350,000 people in Haiti have benefited from Caritas healthcare programmes. These include trauma care, 480 surgeries, and primary care in 21 hospitals and heath posts, distribution of health kits and medicine, and supporting a public health campaign. As part of that, Caritas is working with graffiti artist Jerry Rosembert to create city wide signs in Port-au-Prince to remind people to wash their hands.
Caritas held two seed fairs in the south for farmers, who were given vouchers so they can get the seeds, fertilizer and supplies they need from local merchants. Caritas is also working with farmers to prevent soil erosion by encouraging them to plant fruit trees with their regular annual crops.
Caritas staff give counselling to more than 2,000 children in camps. Counselling has been set up to help children and give them back some normality in their lives. 25 school tents have been set up and 53 schools have received materials so they can begin lessons again. Caritas is also working on family reunion programs for children that were separated from their parents in the earthquake.
// 14. 04. 2010
Haiti’s regions struggling to cope with displaced people
Women waiting at a Caritas food distribution in Pétionville Club, Port-au-Prince. Many people are returning to the capital from the provinces. While the international community and Haitian authorities try to encourage people to leave the capital and especially its ill-adapted camps, the population of makeshift camps seems to have grown by more than 10 percent over recent weeks.
By Mathilde Magnier
More than 600,000 people have fled the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in search of shelter, food and solidarity after an earthquake devastated the city on January 12. The affected regions are struggling to cope with the massive arrival of refugees. In the small coastal town of Jérémie in the south of the island, the situation is particularly bad. Jérémie’s inhabitants are worried.
“Look at this house. It has two rooms and a dozen people have to live here. It’s been like this for the last two months and very frankly, I don’t know how we can continue to feed everybody!” complains Willine Janvier. She is sitting on the porch of her wooden shack in the small town of Moron, a few kilometres away from Jérémie, where she lives with her four youngest children.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Willine and her husband have seen their five oldest children arrive one by one. They all used to live in Port-au-Prince. “None of them can work here. My husband and I are the only ones who make a bit of money and that’s just not enough,” explains Willine. She looks worried and tired.
“We are 18 people in the house. In addition to my children and sons- and daughters-in-law, seven nephews and nieces have arrived from Port-au-Prince,” says Georgette Benoit. “In order to host them all, we had to take the furniture outside and use tarpaulins for those who did not fit inside. I am a merchant and my husband is a farmer. We don’t earn enough to support everybody.”
After January 12, more than 120,000 displaced people have found shelter in the Jérémie region, located in the Big Bay province. Many of them are originally from this very enclosed region. They had left their villages to find work in the capital. Now, they are welcomed back with open arms by their families, but the situation remains nevertheless complicated.
There are no makeshift camps or crowded temporary shelters here as in the Port-au-Prince region. As recommended by the local authorities and NGOs, refugees are living with family or host families to preserve a minimum standard of living for everybody. Caritas is supporting their efforts and will distribute 300 tents to host families.
At the moment, food and space are scarce in most houses. Food prices have exploded over recent weeks. The prices of some products, mainly sugar and rice, have risen more than 50 percent. Therefore, the people have to eat the little amount they harvest instead of selling it. Small merchants, who represent an important percentage of the work force in this region, are often in the same situation, having to consume their products. In addition to that, the region has been affected by severe drought.
“With these exploding prices, I can’t buy the same quantities as before anymore. Profit is going down and the number of people to feed at home has risen. There is no way we can make ends meet,” says Pierrot Joassaint, a merchant supporting a household of 25 people.
The situation is hard and very little emergency aid has arrived in this region. “For the time being, only Caritas has distributed food here. Cooking oil, rice, sugar and corn have been given to 800 families in this region. But in general, Jérémie has been forgotten,” says Fr. Saint-Alphonse, President of Caritas Jérémie.
In addition to that, the employment situation is very bad. “It’s impossible to find work here. I cannot be a burden for my family indefinitely. I will have to return to Port-au-Prince quickly,” explains Lionel Roger, a builder. He has left a makeshift house he had built himself in the Champ de Mars camp in Port-au-Prince. Now, he has been staying with his wife’s family for a month. Josepha Macula, a school teacher, agrees with Lionel. She will have to return to the capital as soon as possible to find work.
Many people are returning to the capital from the provinces. While the international community and Haitian authorities try to encourage people to leave the capital and especially its ill-adapted camps, the population of makeshift camps seems to have grown by more than 10 percent over recent weeks.
The Jérémie region is not the only one coping with refugees. More than 160,000 people fled to the Artibonite region and 160,000 more went to the border of the Dominican Republic. These regions are having the same difficulties as the Jérémie region. In the reconstruction of Haiti, the authorities urgently need to consider options regarding the decentralisation and integration of isolated regions.
// 07. 04. 2010
Grade IV. Children from the Varaždin Primary School launched their own campaign to help the children of Haiti
Students in senior primary classes at the Varaždin Primary School organised a fete on Thursday, 30 March 2010 to help Caritas’ emergency relief fund.
The children prepared appropriate Easter gifts with dried dough and sold these at the fete with all proceeds earmarked for the relief fund for Haiti. Their teachers Sofija Fruk, Silvija Hrnčić and Dijana Gašparac and the school’s secretary Ivka Hrg initiated the project “For the children of Haiti organised the children over a two-week period instructing them how to make decorations out of dough and how to bake cakes. The fete managed to raise 1,600 kuna which will be paid into Cariats Croatia’s emergency relief fund for Haiti.
Caritas Croatia expresses its gratitude to the teachers and principle Jadmina Dvorksi for their enthusiasm and a special thanks to Grade IV students at the Varaždin Primary School for their solidiarty and support for their peers in Haiti.
// 01. 04. 2010
Haitians making a living through cash-for-work
Caritas cash for work beneficiaries offloading a food truck at a distribution in Pétionville Club, Port-au-Prince.
Credits: CARITAS/Mathilde Magnier
Many Haitians have been left jobless after the dramatic quake that struck Port-au-Prince on January 12, claiming the lives of over 225,000 people. Two months after the event, employment is one of the most pressing issues in Haiti. Cash-for-work programmes remain the most significant sources of income in a country where up to 70 percent of the population was unemployed before the quake. Since January, Caritas is supporting the temporary employment of scores of Haitians.
“I need money! My family needs money! I am a trained nurse and paradoxical as it may seem in a country where so many people need medical assistance, it’s impossible for me to find a job,” explains Belonise Edouard, 37.
“I have sent dozens of CVs but never got any answer. Cash-for-work is my only option right now. I have children to feed!” adds the mother of three. Belonise was enrolled in Caritas cash-for-work programmes on January 31 and is currently helping with the food distribution at Pétionville camp, checking beneficiaries’ vouchers and making sure that no one cheats or gets served twice.
Jean-Pierre Bouves is in a similar situation. “I am an experienced lawyer, I have years of practice and yet I can’t find a job! The quake destroyed my house and all my belongings” says the 45-year-old, who is currently in charge of the cash-for-work security team for food distribution at Pétionville Club.
“Cash-for-work is the only alternative I have for the time being. I don’t make much money, less than 200 Gourdes per day (less than US$5), but it is always better than nothing. And most importantly, it keeps me busy,” Jean-Pierre explains, looking at a small green tent nearby where people are waiting for the day to go by. “In addition to our salary, we often get a little bit of food at the end of day,” adds Marlon Seriphia, 22, who is unloading the distribution trucks at Pétionville Club.
Since January, Caritas has kick-started cash-for-work activities that include building temporary facilities in sites such as Saint François de Sales Hospital, assisting with distributions, loading and unloading trucks at the different Caritas warehouses. Haitians are also clearing and preparing transitional shelter sites for safe re-settlement, repairing surface water draining or digging latrines in the spontaneous settlements. Each worker is paid 180 gourdes per day, or about US$4.50. People are only hired in the programme for a two-week period, so that more people can participate and benefit from it
However, for Duncan, the cash-for-work programme is “not only money”. “I am glad I joined the project and built the latrines here! I am proud I contributed to the improvement of the camp’s living conditions,” explains the 19-year-old student who arrived at Acra Camp a couple of weeks after the earthquake. Together with his friend David, he spent two weeks building up latrines with Caritas’ water and sanitation team in the spontaneous settlement and “is happy people can have these services”.
As of the beginning of March, more than 70,000 Haitians were employed under this programme, and UNDP has set the goal of reaching more than 400,000 people by December 2010, indirectly benefiting two million Haitians. Caritas is scaling up its cash-for-work activities in the coming weeks.
“Cash-for-work is helping but it cannot be a long term solution. We all need to find proper jobs soon,” concludes Kellita.
// 01. 04. 2010
Aid reaches 200,000 families as Chile marks one month after earthquake 29 March 2010
A camp that receives Cartitas aid in the sector 10 region of Talca. Talca is one of the major cities hit hard by the February 27th 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile.
Credits: Katie Orlinsky/Caritas
Essential aid from Caritas has reached 200,000 families in Chile one month after a major earthquake struck. The 8.8-magnitude tremor hit 27 February near Concepción, causing a destructive tsunami, and affecting two million people. Caritas has helped with food and other items such as beds, clothes, medicine and shelter material.
“Our people are rising from their grief. They are a courageous, tenacious and an honorable people,” said Fr. Rodrigo Tupper, President of Caritas Santiago, during a visit to affected villages.
Of the many initiatives, Caritas is supporting 30 comics to perform in the worst-hit communities. The project is called the “good humour caravan” and aims to help the victims, and most of all traumatized children.
“Our brothers need to be able to laugh again and by helping them to do this, we are supporting them. It is a service to the dignity of these people”, said Bishop Manuel Camilo Vial of Temuco.
Caritas Argentina is supporting a special sports event, bringing together some of the continent’s most famous soccer stars, in particular the captain of Chile’s national team Iván Zamorano, in a charity match on March 29.
Tickets for the game “Everybody for Chile” in Buenos Aires will be payable in flour, rice, sugar, powder milk or financial donations. The game will be broadcast all over Latin America and benefit Villa Prat, a village of 2500 people which has suffered major damage.
The first Caritas distributions were carried out with the help of local parishes, despite half of all churches in Chile being damaged in the quake and the tsunami.
"It is moving how the Church, although it has been seriously affected since many of its buildings and churches collapsed, stands up and remains hopeful,” said Lorenzo Figueroa, Director of Caritas Chile.
Caritas launched an appeal for US$8.8 million (6.5 million euro) to provide survivors with food, hygiene and shelter to cover people’s basic needs.
// 01. 04. 2010
First torrential rains blocking emergency aid in Haiti
Heavy rains caused major flooding in Pétionville Club, Port-au-Prince.
Credits: Caritas/Mathilde Magnier
“Mud, mud, mud! There is mud everywhere! This place is a big mess,“ says Guylaine. Her feet are covered with mud. The rain has softened up the earth. With a dazed look, the old woman stares at what is left of her shelter, that was made of a pile of old clothes and sheets. Now, they are on the ground, in dirty water puddles that have formed all over the Pétionville Club Camp.
First torrential rains have struck Port-au-Prince in the night of March 18, flooding roads, dwellings, buildings and most of all, the many makeshift camps around the city. Since the earthquake, the capital has not seen this type of bad weather very often. The Pétionville Club is a huge golf course where almost 40,000 displaced people settled in an overcrowded makeshift camp after the earthquake. The situation in the camp is critical. It is particularly ill-adapted to face the extreme climate conditions that affect Haiti during the rain season. Epidemics and illnesses could spread.
Rain came down on the camp the whole night. It flooded away tents, had latrines spill over and knocked over other structures. With the humidity, the heat and the smell become unbearable. ”Another three storms like that and the camp will become a real swamp,” says a Caritas member, who came to evaluate the situation. “It is impossible to continue with distributions. There is too much mud. Loads could fall over and the wheelbarrows used to carry the goods would get stuck “, says Marie Mackenzie, in charge of the camp management for Caritas. “From now on, we will have to work differently. We have already identified alternative distribution points that will not get flooded as easily. But we need to act very quickly. People really need our help.”
The main roads crossing Pétionville Club have become impassable. Mud keeps the vehicles from moving or slows them down. People move forward step by step trying to avoid the puddles. Most of them are barefoot. Clothes and waste lie in the water. Pigs and dogs stray around.
“All my stocks are lost! I had bags filled with corn and peas and they either got flooded away or they will rot because of the humidity,” says Marie. She points to the wet bags on the ground scattered across the entrance to her little hut. For Marie and all the other people trying to survive on a bit of trade, the rains are a real disaster. They will make survival even more difficult. Vendors put back the products that aren’t too soaked on the shelves and let the rest dry. The others try to prepare themselves for the next rains. They are rebuilding their shelter or digging trenches around them with their bare hands.
The camp population is getting more and more upset. People feel relieved about the humanitarian association’s presence, but slogans against the government are spreading. “Thank you for being there, thank you Caritas for helping us! Our government has abandoned us! Where has the Haitian state gone?” shouts an old man, visibly stressed out by the situation.
On this day, most displaced people can only think of one option: leave the camp. “Nobody wants to live in a place like this. Life is impossible here,” explains Ernst, aged 47. The people’s willingness to leave should make it easier for the government to relocate them. Pétionville Club is at the top of the list for relocation. Five alternative locations have already been identified by the authorities. Two of them will be ready to host refugees in the coming weeks.
// 31. 03. 2010
Caritas Croatia presents the 0 Poverty campaign at the “Croatian Rural Products” fair
The ninth CROATIAN RURAL PRODUCTS, fair was held from 26 to 28 March 2010 in the Boćarski dom Zrinjevac, Zagreb. This year Caritas Croatia set up a stand where it presented the “Zero Poverty” campaign, Zagreb Mayor announced at a press conference held on Thursday, 25 March 2010 in the Zagreb City Assembly building.
Zagreb’s Mayor Milan Bandić; the head of the Zagreb City Office for Agriculture and Forestry Milan Tuk, the director of “Agrarian Advisory” Damir Kovačić and Cariats Croatia Director Ivan Milovčić presented their respective programmes and projects at the press conference. During the fair, Caritas Croatia will present the “Zero Poverty” campaign which it is implementing along with other Caritas organisations in Europe to mark 2010 – European to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion.
Caritas Europa’s main aim is to convince European governments to tackle the cuases of poverty. Caritas Europa launched the initiative of a “Zero Poverty” petition with the aim of collecting one million signatures so that it can bhen present its objectives to relevant European institutions. Signatories of the Petition support the ideal of abolishing child poverty in Europe; ensuring a minimum level of social welfare for every individual; improving social and health services; and ensuring a decent salary for all.
“Staff and volunteers from Caritas Croatia and the Zagreb Archdiocese Caritas will introduce visitors at the fair to the idea of the Zero Poverty campaign and urge them to sign the Petition, Father Milovčić explained. “The Zero Poverty campaign involves various projects that will be implement during 2010. The European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion with the aim of motivating social awareness amongst citizens for people in need and socially excluded groups as well as offering them with concrete assistance. In cooperation with the City of Zagreb which is a forerunner in modern social ideas and ahs accepted the role of a Caritas partner, this has opened space for initiatives in the area of economy, education of children and the young; social welfare and family protection, we wish to chane the ‘face’ of poverty in Zagreb and Croatia”, Fr. Milovčić, said.
At the official opening on Friday, 26 March at 12 noon, Zagreb’s Mayor Milan Bandić and Dr. Damir Kovačić from “Agrarian Advisory” will donate Caritas Croatia with products presented at the fair valued at 10.000 kuna while at the same time motivating producers and presenters at the fair to follow their examples and to donate their products.
“The CROATIAN RURAL PRODUCTS fair is one of the largest and most significant rural fairs in Croatia. This year a record 370 presenters from all over Croatia will be proudly presenting their products. Producers include small farmers and producers of all sorts of rural products. Similar fairs are often held in a large number of European countries yet not one can boast such a large number of presenters. Until now more than a thousand products have been presented at similar fairs with over thirty-five thousand visitors attending, the head of the Zagreb City Office for Agriculture and Forestry Milan Tuk explained.
“The fairs is particularly attractive to visitors because in addition to presenting traditional products which can be bought at sales prices including food, beverages, handivarfts and souvenirs the fair is the forum for the IV exhibition of domestic animals – the II Bambino Cup” as well as traditional judging of the best quality Croatian products. For those with a fine palette we believe that the fair will be attractive and there will be plenty a fine dish to taste. Products sold at the fair are usually of a very high quality and in high demand and will be sold at special fair prices and this is a perfect opportunity because not all these products find their way to supermarket shelves”, Mr. Kovačić said.
“In addition to enjoying the cultural entertainment programme that will be prepared, fine products from Croatia villages that will be available at special prices all in the one place we are pleased that Caritas Croatia will utilise this opportunity to introduce the public to Caritas Croatia’s projects and programmes especially with the “Zero Poverty” campaign which is being promoted by the Caritas network throughout Europe during this year. The City of Zagreb wosjes tp be part of realising a just, social and fortunate country for all its citizens”, Mayor Bandić said.
// 19. 03. 2010
‘Zero Poverty’ campaign presented on 20 March at the ‘Way of the Cross’ by the young in the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese in Croatia
Raising awareness amongst the young about 2010 – European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
At the Fifth traditional ‘Way of the Cross’ by the young on Saturday, 20 March 2010 organised in the environs of Đakovo, the See of the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese, Caritas Croatia introduced young people to the “Zero Poverty” campaign.
On the occasion of 2010 – European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, young people who participated in the ‘Way of the Cross’ were able to hear about the objectives of the “Zero Poverty” campaign hence raising awareness and motivating institutions and individuals to become involved in the battle against poverty in Croatia and Europe on the whole.
About 2,200 young people participated in “Way of the Cross” - walking in prayer over a 28 kilometres track between the towns of Lipovac and Otok. The entire gathering was informed and asked to sign the “Zero Poverty” petition.
Participants each received a sticker symbolising the cross for thier walking aids –which will help them on their walk – the “Zero Poverty” sign is also imprinted on the stickers. Each participant was given a“Zero Poverty” badge to wear during the walk.
// 19. 03. 2010
Signing of the ‘Zero Poverty’ petition in Zagreb and Zadar on World Social Work Day
Caritas Croatia together with the Zagreb Archdiocesan Caritas (CZN) and the Zadar Archdiocesan Caritas on Tuesday, 16 March participated in marking World Social Work Day in Croatia which this year is being held under the motto: “Making human rights real – the Social Work Agenda”.
On that day, social workers will present their work in various sectors of social welfare, local administration and civil society organisations. Between 10 – 15 hours Caritas Croatia will organise signing of the ‘Zero Poverty’ petition in Zagreb’s Cvjetni trg. The petition can also be found on line at www.caritas.hr or www.zeropoverty.org
At the same time the Zadar Archdiocesan Caritas together with the Association of Social Workers of Zadar will organise the singing of the Petition on 16 March in Zadar’s Narodni trg where they will sell appropriate handicrafts produced by Caritas volunteers.
This year’s “Social Work World Day” was organised in cooperation with the Association of Social Workers of the City of Zagreb, Zagreb County and the Croatian Association of Social Workers. The idea to mark this day is to promote and protect the right of the individual, family and community particularly in areas where civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights are threatened or neglected.
The Caritas network in Croati in addition to the Caritas network of 25 European countries has included its work in Caritas Europa’s “Zero Poverty” campaign and as such numerous projects are being launched in 2010 – European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion. The main objective of the year is to motivate European governments to tackle the causes of poverty.
Over the course of 2010, Caritas Europa and its Europe-wide network will be raising awareness of poverty, and lobbying national governments and supranational institutions for change. A central aspect of their campaigning activity will be the Petition Against Poverty, which calls on European governments to take four achievable steps to end poverty.
The target for the petition is to reach one million signatures of citizens who are nationals of a significant number of member states. This would be a requirement for inviting the Commission to submit appropriate legislative proposals on the basis of the European citizen’s initiative, one of the major innovations of the Treaty of Lisbon
Caritas Croatia appeals to everyone, particularly decision makers at all levels of society to make their contribution towards the iam of collecting one milion signatures. Caritas Croatia will initiate various projects and programmes with the aim of raising social awareness and motivating solidarity between citizens in Croatia for those in need or socially excluded and by offering concrete aid through its network of diocesan and parish Caritases.
// 15. 03. 2010
Putting a roof over the heads of Chile’s quake survivors
The Caritas prototype shelter that is to be distributed to 3,000 families in the Maule region, hit hard by the February 28th 8.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Chile.
Credits: Katie Orlinsky/Caritas 2010
By Andreas Lexer, Caritas Communications Officer in Chile Iloca used to be a beautiful little village everybody went to in the summer, about 100 km away from the city of Talca.
The blue, red and yellow coloured houses built on poles were close to the shore, the river ran in to the sea just in front of the village and a sand dune kept the Pacific Ocean well away. On Saturday, February 27th, everything changed.
After the 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile at 3.34 in the morning people were wide awake.
“We immediately knew we had to leave”, says Mavet Rivera, who ran a little fish store close to the Beach. So she took her three sons, jumped into the next car and went up the hill. Then the sea rolled in.
Three waves washed away Iloca. “The radio was telling us that there would not be a Tsunami, when we actually saw it,” she said.
The wave came in from the side, tore Mavet’s house off its poles and devastated the whole shore. Today there is no river anymore. It disappeared, just like the sand dunes summer guests used to lay on to enjoy the sun. The Pacific Ocean hits the shore hard.
Mavet Rivera is standing next to where her house was, and looks out to the Ocean. Right next to her there is a white fridge. It used to be in her kitchen. Mavet cleaned it, but it is not working anymore. She also found a stereo which is broken. And she found an old photograph of two horses which used to hang on her living room wall. “This will be in my new house too”, she says.
This new house might be build by local Caritas. At the moment, an evaluation is going on all over Maule region to see who will be beneficiaries.
“We are focussing on the more vulnerable areas, such as the coastal region and very much on the countryside, because nobody else has been there so far”, says Jorge Brito, Executive Director of Caritas Maule.
Since tents are not apt for this climate, Caritas is working to provide a more permanent shelter.
A first prototype of this wooden house has already been build in Talca, the region’s capital. For 3.500 Dollar this house, build on poles to keep off the rain, offers a living room and two bedrooms. A metal roof and good insulation will provide enough protection against the low temperatures during the winter.
“There is also a little veranda”, says Jorge Brito. “These little details are very important, to make people feel more at home.”
Similar houses were already used in 1985, when the last earthquake hit the region. Even today people still live in these houses, as they can be extended and two additional bedrooms can be added if necessary. Caritas is trying to build a few thousand houses as of now, depending on the outcome of the evaluation. It only takes three to four hours to put one up. This work will all be carried out by volunteers.
“We need a house very fast, before the winter sets in”, says Mavet Riva in Iloca. However, this new house will not be build close to the sea where her old one was. It will be built further away on a hill. Away from the deadly sea.
// 11. 03. 2010
Chile’s worst hit region gets aid
Many families are currently living in the Chacaria school in Constitution, on the of the major cities hit hard by the February 27th 8.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Chile.
Credits: Katie Orlinsky/Caritas 2010
By Andreas Lexer, Caritas Communications Officer in Chile “This region is the poorest one in the country“, says Jorge Brito, Executive Director of Caritas Maule. “And it is also the most affected one!” More than 400 people died here, more than in any other region in Chile. Some one million people live in Maule, more than 20 percent are regarded poor, compared to the 15 percent average in the rest of the country.
This is the reason why so many houses here were build with cheap Adobe instead of wood or bricks. Most of the Adobe houses could not stand the 8.8 magnitude earthquake on February 27th and the majority of these buildings collapsed. Many of them made up the historic city centre of Talca, the regions capital, and others were in smaller villages on the countryside and in the mountains. “We estimate that about 20.000 houses are down in the region, but this number might even rise to 30.000”, says Jorge Brito. More than 150.000 houses are badly damaged, nobody can live in them anymore, like the parts of the Caritas building in Talca, where Jorge Brito is still sitting and coordinating the emergency relief. These houses will be pulled down.
In front of the Caritas office young volunteers – at last 60 of them show up every day to lend a hand – are rolling out black plastic and cutting it into ten metres long tarpaulins. “This is, what people are asking us most about at the moment”, says Jorge Brito.
At first it was clothes, because the earthquake struck in the middle of the night and people stood on the streets in their pyjamas or completely naked. Then it was food. Some 30,000 to 40,000 food kits from Santiago were already delivered to the people by Caritas. Now it is tarps, to protect tents and shelters from the rain that is forecast for next week.
Carolina Trancoso, a 26 year old Caritas staff member, is delivering tarpulins together with some food and hygiene kits to a makeshift shelter in a sports club in Talca. About 130 people, many from the neighbouring red light district, but also a lot of families with children, the elderly and the disabled are staying here.
At least the sports club has got a roof that is intact, but it is mostly open to the sides. About two dozen tents stand here, and in between them are mattresses where people sleep out in the open. Ricardo Salgado, 48, has just received his first food kit for his wife and two children.
“The situation is generally bad, we really do not know where to go now. But the food and the tarps help us for now”, he says.
Where the earthquake did not do any damage, the tsunamis did. The Maule region spreads out to the coast. Many of the smaller villages and larger towns are completely destroyed, such as Constitución, with 30,000 residents. This small city and tourist resort was hit hard by three waves that rolled in as far as the city centre. “We woke up when we felt the quake and we knew we had to run immediately”, says Jasmin Salas, who is digging out one of her lipsticks and a bra from under half a metre of mud that covers the floor of what used to be her room in a little house near the beach.
However, in Constitución there were many people that did not know that after a quake like this they should better run. A number of tourists were camping on a little island just off the shore. Traditionally they were waiting for the next morning to celebrate the city’s anniversary.
They were unprepared when the waves struck. They were tourists, nobody knows the exact number. Many of them are still missing.
// 11. 03. 2010
Chile for Chile: a country stands in solidarity
A recipient of Caritas food aid in the Santa Clara township in Talcahuano. Talcahuano, Chile was devastated by the February 27th, 2010 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Credits: Katie Orlinsky/Caritas
Victor Chandia is standing in front of what is left of his little yellow house. All the windows are smashed, the door is gone, part of the roof was taken off. Inside nothing is as it used to be. The once white walls are now brown and muddy, just like the floor and the stairs.
“The water came up to here,” says Victor, pointing to a black line, four metres up the wall. “I found two large fish in what used to be my bedroom, but I have lost everything I had,” he says, his eyes watering.
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Saturday, 27 February 2010 did not do much damage to the little village of Dichato, close to Concepción. It's a favourite of tourists during the summer season. It was the tsunami, or rather the tsunamis, that came after the quake and destroyed everything. Five waves struck Dichato within a few hours and all of them reached about five hundred metres inland.
“It was not until the third one that rolled in that caused the most destruction,” says Victor Chandia. Now nothing is left. The houses are all either collapsed or ready to be pulled down. The streets are filled with rubble, mud, wood and whatever else the sea brought and left. The people that lived in the affected area had to move to their neighbours’ grounds, which are a little further up on a hill. Most of them camp there.
“Since last Saturday, we are all helping each other. We give each other a place to stay, we swap and borrow stuff that we need, we don’t leave each other alone in these times,” says Victor Chandia.
Further down the road Roberto Pereira cannot believe what he is seeing: “I did not know it was that bad,” he says. Travelling down the motorway from Santiago these days, you will be overtaken by small trucks, pick ups and normal cars that have “Vamos Chile” and “Chile helps Chile” painted on them. These vehicles are filled to the roof with food, toilet paper, blankets and other things people in the tsunami areas might need.
In one of the pick ups sits Roberto Pereira. In San Fernando, some 500 km away from Concepción, he rushed to his neighbours' houses and asked them to give him what they could spare. He loaded everything on to his truck, rushed down the motorway and handed the stuff out to the first people he met. “I will go back to my home town, load the truck again and come back,” he says.
National solidarity is a big issue these days in Chile. “When things are normal, we very much look after ourselves,” says Gabriela Gutierrez,Executive Secretary of Caritas Concepción. “But in these exceptional times we Chileans develop a special sense for the needs of others. We get mobilised and try to help each other as much as we can. This is our special strength.”
So it is no wonder that so many people came to help. In fact, everyone seems just to wait until they are called in. It only takes a few words on Facebook and dozens of volunteers show up the next day to help. One day sixty, the next day 120 young people passed by the Caritas office to lend a hand.
Dario Ferrada and Luis Zamorano are two of them. The students are wrapping up clothes and putting food into little boxes, which will be distributed later.
“We will stay here as long as Caritas wants us to do so”, says Luis Zamorano. “After all, there are still many people who need help now. And there is a lot of work waiting for us in the next weeks and months,” he adds.
// 10. 03. 2010
On Saturday, 20 March the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese, Croatia is to present the “Zero Poverty” campaign at the 'Way of the Cross' for Croatian Youth
Raising awareness amongst the young about 2010 – European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
IOn Saturday, 20 March 2010, during the Fifth “Way of the Cross” for Croatian youth organised in Đakovo – around the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese premises in Croatia, the archdiocesan Caritas organisation will present the “Zero Poverty” campaign to youth attending this act of worship.
On the occasion of 2010 – European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, young people will participate in the ‘Way of the Cross’ and will listen to a presentation about the objectives of the “Zero Poverty” campaign hence raising awareness and motivating institutions and individuals to become involved in the battle against poverty in Croatia and Europe on the whole.
It is expected that about 1500 young people will participate in the “Way of the Cross” - walking in prayer over a 28 kilometres track between the towns of Lipovac and Otok. The entire gathering will be informed and asked to join the “Zero Poverty” petition.
Apart for that each participant will be given a sticker for walking sticks – symbolising the cross which will help them on their walk – and “Zero Poverty” imprinted on the stickers. They will all be given a “Zero Poverty” badge to wear during the walk.
// 19. 03. 2010
Bishop Mrzljak sends a letter to mr. Fonsecu, as a sign of compassion and solidarity with people of Madeira
Dear Mr. Fonseca,
We are carefully watching the latest events that have befallen the Island of Madeira. We hold all those who have been affected by this natural disaster in our prayers.
We are deeply saddened with the deaths and numerous injuries that have occurred and empathise with all those who have lost their homes and have become homeless. It is for these people in fact that Caritas can be a sign of comfort, hope and faith.
We wish you and your local Caritas Funchal organisation an abundance of God's blessings,
We are with you in your prayers,
Msgr. Josip Mrzljak
Bishop of Varaždin &
President of Caritas Croatia
// 24. 02. 2010
Caritas Croatia continues its activities in the combat against poverty and social exclusion
In response to the Pope Benedict XVI call nine dioceses in Croatia will on Sunday, 14 February endeavour to point out the problem of poverty and social exclusion as well as to motivate institutions and individuals to undertake measures to combat poverty. Through a series of activities they will draw attention to the 2010 – European Year to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion. In continuation of the activities prepared by Caritas Croatia and presented to diocesan and parish Caritas organisations throughout Croatia, Caritas sent out its call for a common effort to jointly mark Caritas Europa’s “Zero Poverty” campaign.
A special breakfast is being organised in the Osijek Archdiocesan Caritas Centre for the Homeless to be held at 8 o’clock in the morning together with representatives of the press and the director of the Đakovo Archdiocesan Caritas, Fr. Ivica Rebić and his associates.
In the Varaždin Diocese, Caritas President and Bishop of Varaždin, Msgr. Josip Mrzljak will celebrate Holy Mass in the Klenovnik Respiratory Hospital together with patients and staff of the hospital.
Caritas staff from the Gospić Diocesan Caritas will visit the Psychiatry Home for Adults in Bistričak, Brlog and present them with appropriate gifts.
The Zagreb Archdiocesan Caritas Home for the Homeless in Rakitje will organise a special lunch at 11.30 a.m. and a get together with the beneficiaries of the home.
The Director of the Hvar Diocesan Caritas Franjo Bračot will visit a large family in Zastražišće in the middle of that island bringing with him a special donation intended to build them bathroom facilities.
The Director of the Dubrovnik Diocesan Caritas Darinko Iveković will visit three families with 6 or more children bringing with him appropriate donations.
Caritas of the Split-Makarska Archdiocese on Sunday will organise a special lunch for beneficiaries of Caritas’ field kitchen and will be joined by Archbishop Marin Barišić who will dine with the poor and homeless.
Fr. Josip Šop of Caritas Rijeka on Sunday will celebrate a special Mass in All Saints church for beneficiaries of the “Ruže sv. Franje“ home for the homeless.
The Krk Diocesan Caritas and Deputy Director Marica Braut will visit the Roma settlement on Monday, 15 February bringing with her donations in food and dinner sets and blankets for 25 families.
On Wednesday, 27 January 2010 when Caritas Europa launched its Zero poverty campaign in the European Parliament, Caritas Croatia published an Open Public Letter asking citizens in Croatia to sign the “Zero Poverty” Petition and in that way to contribute to the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
In response to Caritas Croatia’s Open Letter, on 28 January Croatian President Elect Dr. Ivo Josipović visited the Caritas Croatia office to express his firm support for the letter and the Petition.
Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor sent a letter of thanks in reaction to Caritas Croatia’s Open Letter, expressing her belief that citizens of Croatia will respond appropriately to the Petition and in that way offer their contribution in the fight against poverty and social exclusion in our community and in that way send a message of togetherness and hand of friendship to those most in need.
// 14. 02. 2010
Social solidarity connects Croatian President elect with Caritas Croatia in the service of common good
Croatian President Elect, Professor Ivo Josipović (Dr.Sc.) visited Caritas Croatia at 4 p.m., Thursday, 28 January in a show of support to Caritas Croatia’s involvement in the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion “Zero Poverty” campaign launched by Caritas Europa.
President Josipović was received by Caritas Croatia President, Bishop of Varaždin Msgr. Josip Mrzljak and Director Ivan Milovčić. In a brief meeting which was attended also by the Chief of Staff in the newly elected president’s office Mirando Mrsić and the Head of Caritas Croatia’s Department for Social Justice and Peace, Boris Peterlin, Bishop Mrzljak welcomed the President Elect and informed him of Caritas Croatia’s mission and its activities as a body of the Croatian Conference of Bishops.
Within the country, Caritas Croatia organises various projects, programmes and campaigns through which it motivates social awareness amongst citizens for those less fortunate and in need as well as offering concrete aid through its network of diocesan and parish Caritases. “Even though its primary responsibility is towards helping those in Croatia, Caritas Croatia - which is particularly evident right now – mobilises and directs concrete help and solidarity expressed by Croatian citizens, individually, associations, local government units and people from the business world to emergency aid in response to natural disasters and wars in the world”, Bishop Mrzljak said. He explained how Caritas Croatia is a member of Caritas Europa and Caritas Internationalis with their networks around the world and as such is part of a large family ready at any moment to forward concrete aid to anywhere in the world.
Croatian President Elect Ivo Josipović emphasised that this was not his first encounter with Caritas. During his campaign in the presidential run up, when he travelled up and down the country several times, he personally became aware of the problem facing Croatian citizens: unemployment, problems faced by the young and the unutilised potential of Croatian regions, particularly Slavonia. The President supports the objectives set by the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the Petition and the Open Letter to the Public that Caritas Croatia presented to the public. President Josipović stressed in particular the noble work done by Caritas Croatia. Responding to questions by the press the President emphasised that his door is always open to good ideas – where Caritas Croatia has a special role.
Caritas Director Ivan Milovčić gave a brief presentation of Caritas Croatia’s current activities: Caritas’ traditional Christmas campaign “For 1000 Joys”, aimed at collecting funds to help the poorest families in Croatia; Caritas’ urgent appeal to help the victims of the floods in the Neretva Valley and Lika region as well as the large scale fund raising campaign to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. “At the start of European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion “Zero Poverty” launched by Caritas Europa – we could not have foreseen a greater challenge or more difficult test of our human solidarity and sacrificing love”, Fr. Milovčić said.
He spoke about the Open Letter and Petition for the “Zero Poverty” campaign that Caritas Croatia sent to all Croatian citizens, inviting them to join in the action by symbolically signing the Petition and in that way contributing to the target to reach one million signatures of citizens who are nationals of a significant number of member states as a requirement for inviting the Commission to submit appropriate legislative proposals on the basis of the European citizen’s initiative, one of the major innovations of the Treaty of Lisbon Treat. “Poverty is a scandal. Social exclusion is a scandal. It is scandalous that we have become used to living in such a scandalous reality, accepting this as a normal situation. These scandals need to be changed. We in Croatia have been called upon to make our contribution,” Fr. Milovčić pointed out.
// 29. 01. 2010
- About the Lenten Campaign The Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People of Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Msgr. Josip Mrzljak’s epistle marking The Week of Solidarity and Togetherness
with the Church and People of Bosnia-Herzegovina - Pilgrimage of prayer in Zagreb parishes
- Download info material
