Asia region is a home of 25 Caritas MOs which consistently work with vulnerable communities preparing them to face and cope with disasters and to reduce future risks through various programs at parish, diocesan, national and regional levels. Through years of experience in helping communities and responding to the needs of the poor and vulnerable in the region, Caritas MOs in Asia believe that enhancing local capacity and leadership is crucial in disaster preparedness and risk reduction initiatives.
It is perhaps unbeknownst to many, amidst the tragedy and the havoc brought about by each disaster is a throng of volunteers providing hope and inspiration to the affected communities in Asia. There are actually thousands of volunteers from all walks of life and from almost every corner of the world, who are always ready to lend a hand, whenever disaster strikes in the region.
Caritas MOs, in line with the strategic goals of the confederation and the region, are highly committed to continuously improve both institutions and personnel capacities, including volunteers, in responding to the occurring humanitarian crisis in the region by providing various capacity building opportunities and learning platforms for knowledge exchanges as well as participation in different regional and global conferences.
Caritas Asia provides a space for exchange among the member organizations in the region related to humanitarian and disaster risk reduction work. In this session, Caritas Indonesia shared their best practices and experience in engaging and managing volunteers in Indonesia in the COVID-19 response.
Date: 17 June 2021- Moderator: Mr. Ari Nugroho of Caritas Asia
- Speaker: Ms. Ramiasi Novita of Caritas Indonesia
Volunteers, social workers, and humanitarian organizations around the world enjoyed the festivities of the International Volunteers Day (IVD) celebration, including Caritas Member Organizations in Asia who celebrated this annual event in different activities.
IVD 2021 The theme of IVD 2021, “Volunteer now for our common future,” invited all people to come together and to take part on the decision making for a better future. This theme is also aligned with what Pope Francis’ said to young people on 2013’s World Youth Day (WYD) in Brazil. The Holy Father encouraged young people to not be afraid of everything, especially for sharing kindness to other people and creating a better world to live in.
In the IVD 2021 celebration, Caritas Asia, through SHAPE project captured the tremendous support of Caritas volunteers who have been journeying with the confederation through the years and at the same time reflecting on the Pope’s encouragement to young people.
Click here to see the video.IVD 2024. Caritas Volunteers play a critical and vital role in the various programs, various levels and various phases not only in humanitarian crisis but in the whole fraternal context to support and augment the much-needed assistance to people or communities in reference to the mission-vision of each Caritas. One of the guiding principles of CI Core Fraternal Cooperation and Partnership Values, is the Subsidiarity that emphasize “The promotion and strengthening of national, diocesan and parish Caritas and returning the rightful ownership of projects and development processes to local communities are part of the Caritas way of working”.
Given the right to participate and their willingness to serve, share their skills, learnings, and time (the 3 Ts: time, treasure and talent) are a great advantage for Caritas organization. As mentioned by the former Humanitarian Head of Caritas Internationalis, “Caritas has an edge over other humanitarian organizations due to its assets, i.e. the volunteers which are present in every church, in every community. Mobilization is the key.” Engaging volunteers in MEAL, encourages participatory as they act as a catalyst amongst the community.
Click here to see the webinar.
Date: 6 December 2024
Moderator: Ms. Arpana Karki (Caritas Nepal)
Context Setting: Ms. Jeanie Curiano (Caritas Philippines)
Conclusion: Mr. Dileesh Varghese (Caritas India)
Speakers:
Fr. Guido Trezzani (Caritas Kazakhstan)
Anastassiya Krivonos (Caritas Kazakhstan)
Eva Crajcovicova (Director of Caritas Atyrau)