CARITAS MONGOLIA

Caritas Mongolia is part of Caritas Internationalis, the Confederation of 162 national Caritas working in 200 countries and territories. Caritas Mongolia’s mission is to restore human dignity to the poor through an empowerment process, and to build a sharing and caring community in solidarity and partnership for their wellbeing.

Caritas Mongolia started its activities in 2000 by helping herders affected by extreme winter conditions, known as a zud, between 1999 and 2000. Around 450,000 herders were directly affected following the loss of around 3 million animals. After losing their livestock, many herders moved to urban areas where they struggled to find work and shelter.

During this time, through the support of Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Mongolia launched its first Emergency Appeal to help herders in the countryside who bore the sufferings caused by the extreme winter between 1999-2003. Through this emergency program, herder households were assisted with food relief, medical assistance, infrastructure support, such as repair of deep wells and renovation of educational facilities in rural areas.

In April 2010, Caritas Mongolia became an official member of the Caritas Internationalis network. The main aim of establishing Caritas Mongolia was to witness to the universal solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, and the realisation of a just society – where the rights of people are respected and the integral development of people is promoted, and where communities are rebuilt, renewed and empowered.

Collaboration with other Caritas organisations has been vital in the work of Caritas Mongolia, allowing it to expand its programs to include education, social and humanitarian assistance, food security and agriculture, migration, rebuilding of livelihoods, and community-building projects in rural areas. Reducing the impact of natural disasters and protection of the environment have also been a priority.

Caritas Mongolia currently has 7 main programs: Capacity-Building of Cooperatives, Education, Emergency Response, Food Security & Agriculture, Women leadership and Advocacy, Research & Development, and Social Reintegration. Their work and programs are guided by a community-based approach founded on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching so as to promote the values of human dignity, preference for the poor, participation, community and the common good, the dignity of work, stewardship of God’s creation, solidarity and the promotion of peace.

For interviews with Caritas Mongolia representatives, please contact: Marta Petrosillo, +393476413344, petrosillo@caritas.va

For more information please visit: caritasmongolia.org