International Assistance

Significantly improving the food situation and enhancing opportunities for children are central priorities of Caritas International. Key initiatives include specific activities in the areas of agriculture and the prevention of malnutrition, as well as education and training for children and young people.

It is primarily children in crisis-stricken areas, girls from poor, rural families, and children with disabilities who are denied access to education. A large proportion of all school-age children worldwide do not attend school—millions of them do not even attend elementary school. In developing countries, one-quarter of children who start school drop out before completing elementary school. Millions of young people worldwide cannot read or write, and a large proportion of them are young women and girls.

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffer from hunger. Every day, countless mothers and fathers struggle to find enough food for their starving children. Every second, a child dies as a result of hunger. Harsh climatic conditions, conflicts, and unsustainable farming practices prevent families—and young children in particular—from having access to sufficient and balanced nutrition throughout the year.

A future without hunger - Food security

• Know-how for sustainable agriculture
• Support with seeds, agricultural equipment, etc.
• Sustainable animal husbandry
• Marketing - expanding sales channels, e.g. cooperatives
• Protection of resources by planting trees, energy-saving stoves, etc.
• Preventing malnutrition especially in children

A future for children

• Providing access to quality education
• Learning support, early support, and useful day-structuring programmes
• Strengthening families to escape the spiral of poverty and enable children to grow up with opportunities
• Compliance with children's rights
• Accommodation in family-like institutions
• Social inclusion of children belonging to marginalised target groups (e.g. Roma, or children with disabilities)

Your endowment contribution of EUR 100,000 for interventions in agriculture, animal husbandry and marketing will ensure sustainable food security for 200 peasants and their families in the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The donated amount is intended to be used up over a period of approximately three years.

By providing an endowment contribution of EUR 500,000, you can support the education of 50 children in the poorest areas of Europe with an annual income stream of EUR 20,000 expected to be generated through capital gains or dividend payments. The children will receive school materials, after-school learning support and transport to school. In addition, the funds will be utilized to work with families towards understanding that education is a prerequisite for a good start in life. Thereby, the assets contributed will remain intact as far as possible and thus continue to have an impact for an unlimited period.