Who are we?

As Belgian nonprofit organization for international solidarity, we support victims of violence, natural disasters, and poverty.

About

Abroad

Whether the victims are refugees or disaster victims in their own country, they receive humanitarian aid from Caritas worldwide, through: Rapid emergency response during crises; Rehabilitation and development projects after an emergency; Important food security programs; Special attention to the reduction of the impact and prevention of disasters; Numerous micro-projects of diverse nature. Every year, the global Caritas network supports more than 60 million people via its 162 locally-based organizations.

Whether the victims are refugees or disaster victims in their own country, they receive humanitarian aid from Caritas worldwide, through:

  • Rapid emergency response during crises;
  • Rehabilitation and development projects after an emergency;
  • Important food security programs;
  • Special attention to the reduction of the impact and prevention of disasters;
  • Numerous micro-projects of diverse nature.

Every year, the global Caritas network supports more than 60 million people via its 162 locally-based organizations.

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In Belgium

Migrants can count on a humane and individual response, tailored to each personal migratory journey, this can be done by: Reception and social support for applicants of international protection (asylum) with a vulnerable profile (single women, young unaccompanied minors, individuals who are sick…); A dignified welcome within small-scale structures and collective reception centers; Integration support for those who have been granted refugee status; Front-line social support for migrants; Guardianship for unaccompanied minors; Support for family reunification; Visits to detention centers; Assistance with voluntary return and sustainable reintegration in the country of origin.

Migrants can count on a humane and individual response, tailored to each personal migratory journey, this can be done by:

  • Reception and social support for applicants of international protection (asylum) with a vulnerable profile (single women, young unaccompanied minors, individuals who are sick…);
  • A dignified welcome within small-scale structures and collective reception centers;
  • Integration support for those who have been granted refugee status;
  • Front-line social support for migrants;
  • Guardianship for unaccompanied minors;
  • Support for family reunification;
  • Visits to detention centers;
  • Assistance with voluntary return and sustainable reintegration in the country of origin.
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Vision and mission

Reception and reception social service Caritas Charity Street in Brussels. Susana Parraga (Caritas, left) and Jéssica Souza Santos.
Caritas International Belgium Who are we?

Our vision

Caritas International strives for a world of peace, solidarity, and justice. A world in which each individual’s dignity constitutes a fundamental value that riches are best shared amongst everyone. Caritas International draws its inspiration from the Christian vision of God and society based on the Gospel. Every person has the right to a dignified life and should be able to enjoy their fundamental rights. Access to healthy food, clean water, medical care, education, employment, and adequate housing should be guaranteed. Our work is founded on these values of solidarity and subsidiarity[1]. No one country or organization can singlehandedly solve all these problems. Importantly, only a union of forces can lead to lasting solutions. [1]Subsidiarity means that the autonomy of every structure of a company or an organization is respected. Every structure, at its level, has a role within the larger group. Everything that can be better executed at a lower level should be at this level. Common obstacles will be met at a higher level.

Caritas International strives for a world of peace, solidarity, and justice. A world in which each individual’s dignity constitutes a fundamental value that riches are best shared amongst everyone.

Caritas International draws its inspiration from the Christian vision of God and society based on the Gospel. Every person has the right to a dignified life and should be able to enjoy their fundamental rights. Access to healthy food, clean water, medical care, education, employment, and adequate housing should be guaranteed.

Our work is founded on these values of solidarity and subsidiarity[1]. No one country or organization can singlehandedly solve all these problems. Importantly, only a union of forces can lead to lasting solutions.


[1]Subsidiarity means that the autonomy of every structure of a company or an organization is respected. Every structure, at its level, has a role within the larger group. Everything that can be better executed at a lower level should be at this level. Common obstacles will be met at a higher level.

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Our mission

Caritas International supports victims of violence, natural disasters, and poverty in their own country or on the run by collaborating with our national and international networks. We accomplish our mission without discriminating based on nationality, political, philosophical, or religious beliefs. Caritas International helps the most vulnerable people and supports them in their search for sustainable solutions. Caritas International and its partners provide effective emergency aid in times of crisis. In addition, we implement rehabilitation and development projects in order to give people the ability to take control of their own life and future. Caritas International welcomes asylum seekers and defends migrants’ rights to material services, social services, and legal services in Belgium and in their country of origin or home country. We denounce the unjust situations and dysfunctions that our collaborators have witnessed and we advocate for structural solutions. Our expertise nourishes a work of information and education with the goal of reaching the greater public, and more specifically, the scholarly world.

Caritas International supports victims of violence, natural disasters, and poverty in their own country or on the run by collaborating with our national and international networks. We accomplish our mission without discriminating based on nationality, political, philosophical, or religious beliefs.

Caritas International helps the most vulnerable people and supports them in their search for sustainable solutions. Caritas International and its partners provide effective emergency aid in times of crisis. In addition, we implement rehabilitation and development projects in order to give people the ability to take control of their own life and future.

Caritas International welcomes asylum seekers and defends migrants’ rights to material services, social services, and legal services in Belgium and in their country of origin or home country. We denounce the unjust situations and dysfunctions that our collaborators have witnessed and we advocate for structural solutions. Our expertise nourishes a work of information and education with the goal of reaching the greater public, and more specifically, the scholarly world.

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  • Intro

    During the creation of Caritas International in 1949, our actions were oriented towards welcoming foreigners in Belgium following World War II. Eventually, our actions enlarged to include international assistance during emergency situations. At the same time, we supported micro-projects which also evolved into support for structural development programs concerning food security.

  • Our principle actions

    • 1948

      At the request of Belgian bishops, the International Aid of Caritas Catholica creates (the statutes of SICC were registered in the “Moniteur” in 1949). The objective is to help World War II victims and to ensure family reunification. Reception and care for foreign children that are victims of the war by placing them with Belgian families.

    • 1949

      Opening of the first Belgian reception center for displaced people.

  • Our principle actions

    • 1950

      Reception of sick and handicapped Russians and Ukrainians from Chinese camps.

    • 1951

      Creation of Caritas Internationalis network. At the time, the network brought together 15 national Caritas. The Korean War  : we financially support the social work of Korean church to help displaced people.

    • 1952

      Give Support to Salesian Fathers for a reception center for young refugees (ages 15-20).

    • 1953

      Aid for victims of floods in Netherlands and England.

    • 1954

      Organization of a home for older refugees.

    • 1955

      Emergency rehabilitation aid in Sudan (civil war).

    • 1956

      Emergency rehabilitation aid in Hungary (civil war).

    • 1958

      Reception of Hungarian refugees in Belgium.

    • 1959

      Creation of an informational service in the form of the International Refugee Day.

  • Nos principales actions

    • 1960

      Publication of the first magazine “Contact”. Reception of Belgian repatriates from Congo – aid follows the earthquake in Agadir.

    • 1961

      Lent action for victims of the famine in the Congo.

    • 1962

      Aid for Albanian refugees from the Gerovo camps (Yugoslavia).

    • 1963

      International support for “Children in Distress” projects.

    • 1964

      Aid for repatriate missionaries of the Congo.

    • 1965

      Vietnam Operation.

    • 1966

      Aid for victims of the floods in Italy and Sudanese refugees.

    • 1967

      Emergency aid to the large number of displaced Palestinians due to the Arab-Israeli War.

    • 1968

      Food aid is sent to Nigeria during Biafra War.

    • 1969

      Prague Spring  : reception and aid to Czech refugees.

  • Our principle actions

    • 1971

      Emergency aid for victims of the cyclone and civil war in Pakistan.

    • 1972

      Emergency aid given to Burundi following interethnic conflict.

    • 1973

      Reception of Chilean refugees (fleeing Dictator Augusto Pinochet).

    • 1974

      Sahel  : we support 26 assistance programs to combat the drought.

    • 1975

      End of Vietnam War  : emergency aid on site and the reception of those arriving by boat in Belgium.

    • 1976

      End of civil war in Libya  : launch of reconstruction programs.

    • 1977

      Emergency aid in Romania due to earthquakes and India due to a cyclone and floods.

    • 1978

      Earthquake in Iran  : aid on site and the reception of refugees in Belgium.

    • 1979

      Refugees arriving by boat from South-East Asia  : reception 650 adults and 200 children.

  • Our principle actions

    • 1980

      Reception of Afghani refugees due to Russian invasion and Salvadorian refugees due to civil war.

    • 1981

      Food and medical supplies are sent to Poland due to a state of siege.

    • 1982

      Sabra and Chatila  : assistance for Libyan students without income.

    • 1983

      Constitution of medical funds for emergency purposes of developing countries who may lack essential medicine.

    • 1984

      Drought and famine hits 24 countries in Africa  : we provide food aid and start agricultural programs.

    • 1985

      Emergency rehabilitation programs following the earthquake in Mexico and the volcano eruption in Colombia.

    • 1986

      Chernobyl  : multiple medical projects are launched to help victims. In Belgium, we fought for humane solutions for those seeking asylum who are in very difficult situations.

    • 1987

      Emergency aid in Sahel due to famine and Mozambique and Sudan due to civil wars.

    • 1988

      First mission in USSR.

    • 1989

      Fall of the Berlin war and the fall of the Romanian dictator. Beginning of a food program for Romanian populations.

  • Our principle actions

    • 1990

      Famine in Rwanda.

    • 1991

      Aid to Croatia due to a civil war and Bangladesh due to floods.

    • 1992

      International Aid of Caritas Catholica becomes Caritas International Aid. Emergency aid to Somalia due to a civil war and a famine. Aid also sent to Angola and Zaire.

    • 1993

      Food program commences in Rwanda and Burundi for 1.4 million refugee people in camps.

    • 1994

      Rwandan Genocide  : Important emergency programs in the Great Lakes region due to 80 expatriates working in the region.

    • 1995

      Food programs in 40 centers in Rwanda, 83 centers in Burundi, and in Kivu (DRC). Caritas launches rehabilitation program in Bosnia Herzegovina.

    • 1996

      New logistical base in Kampala, Uganda and Kisangani, Congo.

    • 1997

      Pursuit of assistance for Rwandan refugees, Burundian refugees, and Congolese refugees (DRC was Zaire at the time) from the Kisangani, Biaro and Bunia regions.

    • 1998

      A cyclone ravages Andhra Pradesh in India. In response, we start rehabilitation programs in India and emergency programs in South Sudan due to a famine.

    • 1999

      Caritas celebrates 50 years. Ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, so 1 million Kosovans flee to Albania. Therefore, emergency aid is sent to Albania, and then Kosovo. Next, Hurricane Mitch provokes emergency aid sent to Central America. Finally, we launch a new service  : housing for families who are recognized refugees.

  • Our principle actions

    • 2000

      Our department in charge of refugees and migrants participates in the Regularization Campaign. Emergency aid to Madagascar, Mozambique, Ethiopia, El Salvador, and the Great Lakes region.

    • 2001

      Support of nearly 3000 persons seeking asylum in Belgium – Earthquake in Gujarat, India  : call for solidarity from the Belgian people. Caritas International Aid launches an emergency call with the Consortium of Emergency aid. Emergency aid and rehabilitation aid sent to Afghanistan, Congo, Burundi, Kosovo, and Madagascar.

    • 2002

      Caritas International Aid develops structural programs, also known as “Development Projects”. We set up programs for food security in Ethiopia. Food shortage in Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa.

    • 2003

      Caritas International Aid changes its name and becomes Caritas International. American intervention in Iraq. Distribution of necessity goods and nutritional programs for babies. Conflicts intensify in Darfur, Sudan. We provide aid to displaced persons and refugees in Chad. Earthquake in Bam, Iran  : emergency and rehabilitation programs.

    • 2004

      Tropical storm Jeanne hits Haiti. Food shortage in Niger. Tsunami hits Southeast Asian countries. In collaboration with the international network, we provide aid to more than 500,000 people in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia. Caritas International initiates a voluntary return project for Ukrainian and Bulgarian asylum seekers.

    • 2005

      Tropical storm Jeanne hits Haiti. Food shortage in Niger. Tsunami hits Southeast Asian countries. In collaboration with the international network, we provide aid to more than 500,000 people in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia. Caritas International initiates a voluntary return project for Ukrainian and Bulgarian asylum seekers.

    • 2006

      In Belgium, we start up the care and support of unaccompanied foreign minors. Libyan War, we participate in aid programs in the Middle East. The sustainable integration program in the home countries after voluntary return spreads to more countries (Armenia, Georgia, Serbia Montenegro).