-
Dear Father Benavente,
Warm greetings from Caritas Internationalis. We express gratitude to you and the parishioners of Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Hagatna, Guam, for your generosity and your support to Caritas relief work for the Ukrainian refugees, on behalf of those most vulnerable we reach through your gift.
Too many people are suffering for this conflict. Caritas is there to give them assistance and hope.
According to UNHCR, the number of people displaced has now surpassed the 12-million mark: over 4.9 million people have crossed international borders and at least 7.1 million have been displaced internally since 24 February, 2022.
The two Caritas organizations in Ukraine (Caritas Ukraine and Caritas SPES) and the Caritas organizations in the neighboring countries Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania are supporting those who have fled the war, with food, shelter, clothing, and also protection. In fact, many of them are women and children, and even unaccompanied minors, and therefore particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. Caritas is helping them, together with informing them about the risks they may face on their way.
Since the beginning of the war, Caritas centers in Poland have given shelter to nearly 8,300 families. In addition, 37,000 refugees were supported in finding safe shelter in Polish (private) homes.
Caritas facilities in Poland provided refugees with more than 1,5 million meals; In total, more than 537,000 people have already benefited from this assistance.
Caritas Ukraine has assisted no less than 593,000 persons and Caritas Spes reached 303,981 persons. Assistance consisted of shelter, accommodation (Housing and shelter), support, protection, childcare (Protection) and water, hygiene items, detergents (WASH).
Caritas is the helping hand of the Church, reaching out to the excluded in almost every corner of the world, through the Catholic Church's extensive grassroots network. Caritas reaches out to all, regardless of race and religion.
Caritas is in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, with 162 Caritas Members. The Caritas confederation is served and coordinated by the general secretariat Caritas Internationalis, based in Vatican City, delivering its service for the poor and acting quickly in emergency situations, launching emergency responses at the request and on behalf of the national Caritas in the disaster affected country, as now in Ukraine.
This work is only possible thanks to donors like you.
We have witnessed, during this crisis, an incredible amount of acts of love and solidarity.
As Cardinal Tagle, President of Caritas Internationalis said, “No gun can kill hope.” And “Even in a bad situation like war, a better humanity can emerge”
On behalf of the most vulnerable we serve, we express our gratitude to your kind support.
Please continue to follow Caritas and do not hesitate to get back to me for any further request of information on Caritas work, I would be happy to assist.