Caritas Polska, the largest Catholic charity in Poland, actively provides humanitarian aid and development assistance on the African continent. In 2023, the organization allocated approximately one million zlotys (about 226,000 euros) to projects in the areas of nutrition, health, and education.
According to Caritas Polska, nearly 300 million people in Africa face chronic hunger, more than 400 million do not have stable access to drinking water, and about 600 million do not receive basic medical care.
According to Anna Lasocka, a representative of the organization, Caritas Polska has implemented humanitarian initiatives in 15 African countries over the past three years. The main areas of work cover three key sectors: food, medicine, and education. Particular attention is paid to supporting internally displaced persons and victims of armed conflict.
In 2023, the organization will implement projects in Mauritania, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan, among other countries. According to Lasocka, Caritas’ priority is sustainable and long-term support, which is possible thanks to close cooperation with local Caritas branches on the ground.
In Burkina Faso, in partnership with Caritas OCADES, a program is being implemented to provide food to internally displaced persons. People who have left their homes due to conflict receive food packages, powdered milk, and baby food. Similar programs are also being implemented in South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Madagascar.
Caritas Polska’s work is not just about emergency aid, but also about long-term solutions aimed at strengthening the resilience of local communities and ensuring a decent life for the most vulnerable groups of the population.
