Caritas Lebanon Explained

Caritas Lebanon
Native Name:كاريتاس لبنان
Native Name Lang:ARA
Established:1976
Type:Nonprofit
Vat Id:(for European organizations) -->
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Headquarters:Dr Youssef Hajjar Street, Sin el Fil
Location City:Beirut
Location Country:Lebanon
Coordinates:33.8675°N 35.5391°W
Origins:Catholic Social Teaching[1]
Region Served:Lebanon
Fields:social work, humanitarian aid, advocacy
Owners:-->
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Fr. Michel Abboud
Main Organ:board of directors
Parent Organisation:-->
Affiliations:Caritas MONA, Caritas Internationalis

Caritas Lebanon (Arabic:, French: ) is a Catholic Lebanese nonprofit organisation, established in 1976. It is the official aid organisation of the Catholic Church in Lebanon and implements social welfare services and provides humanitarian aid. It is one of the best-known and largest NGOs in the country[2] [3] [4] [5] and a member of Caritas Internationalis and Caritas MONA.

Background

Caritas Lebanon's predecessor was established in 1972 by Elie Mamery, a Lebanese Jesuit in Sidon in the south of the country.[6] The initial activities included distribution of primary care items, such as medicines and clothes to families in need in the bordering villages. In the following years, the organisation opened social centres, medical centres and mobile clinics, which became even more important with the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) and the displacement of people it provoked.[7]

In 1976, the organisation took its current name and the bishops and patriarchs of the Catholic Church in Lebanon formally recognized Caritas as the socio-pastoral organ of the Church in Lebanon.[7]

Caritas Lebanon's network of 60 health and social centres spans across a large part of the country, providing services to both the local population and refugees alike.[8] In addition, its mobile clinics travel up and down the country, especially in rural areas.[9]

Since the 1990s, Caritas Lebanon has also specialised on supporting migrants and advocating for migrant rights within Lebanon. The Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC) assists thousands of migrants every year through services such as psychosocial support, counselling, social assistance, medical aid, legal aid, training, and shelter.[10]

Following the Lebanese liquidity crisis and the subsequent economic downturn, there has been a significant rise in the number of individuals seeking assistance from Caritas.[11] [12] [13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Member organisation in Lebanon. caritas.org . 3 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Interview with Michael Ghosoub from Caritas Lebanon . Blokiau . Claudine . 19 September 2017 . activityinfo.org . 25 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center . UNHCR.org . 25 April 2024.
  4. Web site: "Lebanon is overwhelmed", warns Catholic charity on the front-line. . 17 July 2013 . ReliefWeb.org . 25 April 2024.
  5. Web site: Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center . endchilddetention.org . 25 April 2024.
  6. Web site: Caritas Lebanon . devex.com . 28 April 2024.
  7. Web site: Our History . caritas.org.lb . 26 April 2024.
  8. Web site: Rita Rhayem: Caritas Lebanon’s first woman General Director of Caritas . Makkieh . Manal . 14 August 2020 . annahar.com . 28 April 2024.
  9. Web site: Caritas Lebanon . . 28 April 2024.
  10. Web site: Caritas Lebanon Migrants Centre (CLMC)/Migrants Project . . 26 April 2024.
  11. Web site: Le système de santé libanais s’effondre, le président de Caritas Liban lance un appel à l’aide . Westphal Perrier . Camille . 30 December 2021 . infochretienne.com . 28 April 2024.
  12. Web site: Caritas: Lebanon is collapsing amid international indifference . Bordoni . Linda . 17 July 2020 . . 28 April 2024.
  13. Web site: Caritas Lebanon president: crisis has forced nation’s youth to leave . 17 February 2023 . Marilyn Rodrigues . 17 February 2023 . . 28 April 2024.