An Eye for the Poorest

Transcription

1 An Eye for the Poorest Who Are We And What Do We Want? Emergency Relief >4 >3 Development >5 How Can You Contribute? >7

2 Caritas Larger than you think! k e y wo r d s The world is big, and it is difficult to meet all needs for aid. As individuals it is impossible but together we can do a lot. Caritas Denmark is a part of one of the world s largest humanitarian organisations, Caritas Internationalis. Sri Lanka Caritas everywhere Caritas is organised in 164 countries and works in more than 200 countries and territories. It is an enormous strength to be part of such a large organisation. Popularly speaking, Caritas is on the spot even before a disaster occurs. The fact that we have partners everywhere means that Caritas Denmark does not normally have staff permanently stationed abroad. Relief and development aid is coordinated in close cooperation with local relief organisations. Caritas Denmark in perspective Caritas Denmark is one of the small organisations in this international family. Many of our sister organisations also engage in relief work nationally, but Caritas Denmark concentrates its effort outside of Denmark. With an annual turnover of EUR 5 Million (2008) Caritas Denmark is a medium-sized aid NGO. Caritas Denmark Who Are We And What Do We Want? Caritas is a Christian and humanitarian organisation. The word Caritas means love and charity. Caritas offers assistance where some of the world s poorest people have been deprived of their possibilities of subsistence and development. Three key words describe the foundation of our work: Respect for Human worth Every human being is unique, created in God s image. No matter who we are, and what we believe in, we are all equally valuable. Caritas fights for the respect and protection of all human beings equal value. Community obliges We were born to live in community with each other and we therefore have a mutual responsibility towards each other, with a special obligation and responsibility towards the weakest. As advocates of the poor, we are contributing towards strengthening their voice. Uganda Solidarity requires action We are here to steward the resources entrusted to us and to ensure a just distribution of the goods of the earth. Caritas therefore tries to change the political and economic structures which are the causes of poverty and need.

3 Emergency Relief Caritas Denmark helps people who are affected by natural disasters or violent conflicts, in particular the most vulnerable groups of people such as children, mothers, the old, the sick and the disabled. Relief is normally offered through our local sister organisations who are already present in the area. This ensures prompt access to information on crisis situations efficient relief aid to casualties even in remote areas assistance in all parts of the world close collaboration with the local population in the relief effort. Emergency relief can go to refugees who need food, clothing and shelter. They also need medical care, and schooling for their children must be ensured. This type of aid is granted to refugees from Burma, Iraq and Darfur. At other times, emergency relief is given in connection with natural disasters in for instance India and Sri Lanka after the Tsunami. Relief aid can also be in the form of assistance to people stricken by political conflict, e.g. in Zimbabwe. E m e r g e n C i e s Africa, development Distribution of project funds 2008 Africa, emergency relief Latin America, development Asia, emergency relief Asia, development Development Caritas Denmark works with long-term development aid according to the principle of helping people so that they can help themselves. Our aim is to reach the world s poorest human beings, who are often people who try to survive by cultivating a small depleted piece of land and who, in addition to that, are discriminated against by their own authorities. Our collaboration with these people works in two ways. First of all, they learn how to organise themselves in small groups and they learn about their rights and obligations as human beings and valid citizens of their respective countries. This encourages them to contact the authorities for instance in order to get the agricultural help that they are entitled to. Secondly, we collaborate with them to develop sustainable agriculture in order to ensure a good subsistence foundation. This involves organic farming, soil improvement, new crops and more efficient farming methods. Organic farming ensures the greatest food supply security and the best long-term financial situation. Caritas Denmark collaborates with poor communities in Bolivia, Uganda, North-East India and Niger. s e l F - h e l p Growing of mushrooms in North-East India Pictures from the Tsunami disaster, Sri lanka Quinua harvesting in Bolivia Bolivia

4 t h e o r ga n i s at i o n e c o n o m y Fairtrade Brunch in Århus How Can You Contribute? Jan Lange Jann Sjursen Annual Meeting Caritas Denmark is an autonomous, independent organisation anchored in the Catholic Church. Caritas Denmark appeals to everybody, but Denmark s some 40,000 Catholics naturally influence our daily work. Caritas Denmark s unpaid Board is chaired by psychologist Mr. Jan Lange, and Secretary General Mr. Jann Sjursen is the head of the General Secretariat in Copenhagen. Our work in the third world is totally dependent on the support that Caritas enjoys in Denmark: The 52 voluntary parish representatives are the links to several thousand supporters and contributors. They represent Caritas locally and initiate new activities such as for instance our Fairtrade Brunch arrangements. At the Annual Meeting, the Board, together with the parish representatives and the staff of the Secretariat, take stock of the year. Denmark s 22 Catholic schools have more than 7000 students. Through the cooperation between Caritas and these schools the students gain insight into the living conditions in the poor countries. Every year, the students, their parents and teachers collect considerable amounts of money. The 1200 members of Denmark s Young Catholics are also important partners for Caritas Denmark. They always have their own unique third world project, currently for the benefit of a boarding school in Sri Lanka. In 2008 Caritas Denmark had a turnover of some DKK 37 Million (EUR 5 Million). Private contributions accounted for around DKK 4 Million. This self-financing meant that Danida supported Caritas Denmark s projects with some DKK 30 Million. Besides, we received contributions from the Danish Pools and Lotto funds and from several private funds. Our continued work among the world s poorest people depends on your contribution! You can support Caritas Denmark financially in several ways: Payment giro no via netbanking or PBS (the Danish banks payment service) by the Dankort credit card on our homepage North-East India Amounts of up to DKK (2009-amount) less the first 500 DKK are tax deductible. You can also support Caritas by making a Deed of Gift or a Will. For more information please call or visit

5 Caritas Denmark Vibvej 7 A DK-2400 Copenhagen NV Telephone: Fax: caritas@caritas.dk Web site: Giro: Bank: Reg. no Account, no Chairman of the board: Mr. Jan Lange Secretary General: Mr. Jann Sjursen Foto: Caritas / Design: Kim Broström / Tryk: CS Grafisk A/S CARITAS