Explosions in Beirut left more than 130 people dead and more than 300,000 homeless.
Humanitarian Aid
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catholic Charities pandemic assistance totals nearly $400 million
Catholic Charities agencies nationwide have provided nearly $400 million in emergency aid and services since March in response to the pandemic-induced economic recession.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis calls for prayer and aid for Lebanon after deadly explosion
“Let us pray for the victims, for their families; and let us pray for Lebanon so that it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catholic aid groups: Massive explosion in Beirut compounds Lebanon’s dire situation
At least 50 people were killed and 2,700 injured. Catholic and other humanitarian agencies warn it could push the country into an even bigger catastrophe.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Child prostitution in Zimbabwe spikes amid two other crises: Covid-19 and hunger
There are more young girls selling their bodies as Zimbabwe’s economic difficulties continue, in a broad collapse now exacerbated by the pandemic. The city is experiencing a spike in social vices like child prostitution and domestic violence.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Hunger high on list of battles that aid agency CRS faces amid pandemic
A July 13 report from the United Nations said almost 690 million people went hungry in 2019, an increase of 10 million from the previous year—figures arrived at before the pandemic began.
Posted inGoodNews, Politics & Society
A young Catholic dad finds hope amid despair, destruction left by riots
Reflecting on how he could help promote racial justice and goodwill, an unemployed Minnesota father was inspired to find a way to feed those who are assisting their fellow brothers and sisters.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Demand up ‘tenfold’ for Catholic Charities’ help in one New Jersey diocese
Economic dislocation and food supply disruption as a result of the pandemic has increased the utility of food pantries, as evidenced in a New Jersey diocese.
Posted inGoodNews, Politics & Society
Priest donates kidney to help mom lead life she imagines for her family
A priest’s selfless act of donating a kidney has allowed a mother to lead a normal family life.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Covid-19 pandemic seen increasing hunger, food insecurity around world
At a July 8 webinar sponsored by Georgetown University, participants have pointed out that the problem of world hunger is exacerbated by the pandemic and that addressing it should be a top priority.