Caritas Congo is a nonprofit organisation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the official aid organisation of the Congolese Catholic Church with a presence all over the country.
 | |
| Established | 1960 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Legal status | Association sans but lucratif ("non-profit association") |
| Headquarters | 26 avenue Basoko Gombe |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 4°18′32″S 15°19′27″E / 4.30889°S 15.32428°E / -4.30889; 15.32428 |
| Origins | Catholic Social Teaching |
Region served | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Fields | development aid, humanitarian aid, education, health |
Secretary General | Edouard Makimba Milambo |
President | Mgr Dieudonné Uringi |
| Affiliations | Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Africa |
Revenue (2023) | USD 20,3 million[1] |
Staff (2023) | 62 (national secretariat)[1] |
| Website | www |
The organisation is a member of the global Caritas Internationalis confederation and of the regional Caritas Africa.[2]
Caritas Congo was founded in 1960 by the Congolese Bishops Conference (CENCO) with the mission to improving the lives of individuals and communities as a whole, according to the social doctrine of the Church. The organisation was registered in 1964 and restructured in 1993.[2][3][4]
Caritas Congo consists as the national office, the Secrétariat exécutif ("Executive Secretariat"), and acts as a federation of 48 diocesan offices spread throughout the country. These organisations are called Caritas-Développement diocésaines ("Diocesan Caritas Development"). The 48 diocesan offices are divided into around 1,500 parish Caritas and more than 10,000 local units (cellules, "cells").[1]
Caritas Congo is active in emergency relief while also providing medical services and implementing community development projects. In a context in which The DRC is sometimes described as a failed state, Caritas Congo provides more than 41% of all education services in the country.[5][6]
The Executive Secretariat coordinates the work of all 48 diocesan Caritas organisations and represents them. It is also responsible for capacity strengthening and advocacy.[1]
In 2023, Caritas Congo supported 2,5 million persons with a budget of 20.3 million US dollars. The main areas of activity were prevention and emergency response projects, health promotion projects and projects promoting sustainable development.[1]