Caritas Australia works extensively throughout Asia, a region where
nearly 30% of people survive on less than $1 a day. The region is
plagued by income inequality, ongoing conflict, environmental
vulnerability and the persistence of extreme poverty.
Caritas Australia development programs throughout the region focus on
HIV/AIDs awareness raising, sustainable agriculture and livelihoods,
water and sanitation, environmental advocacy, social justice and peace
building.
South-East Asia
Within South-East
Asia we are involved in Cambodia, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Vietnam, China and Myanmar
(Burma). Together these countries represent one of the most
populous, diverse, and dynamic regions of the
world — but are also home to half of the world’s
poor. Caritas Australia works hard in South-East Asia to ensure our
programs reach the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalised people in
the region and that our programs follow the principles of Catholic Social
Teaching.
Alongside our development programs in this South-East Asia region,
Caritas Australia promotes the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by
strengthening the capacity of our partners to eradicate extreme poverty,
combat HIV/AIDS and ensure environmental sustainability.
Featured story:
See how the development projects run by Caritas Australia
are bringing hope to impoverished families in Siem Reap, Cambodia and
improving their lives. Our programs help people to help themselves out
of poverty.
Gathering the harvest in
Cambodia.
Girls in Aceh, Indonesia learn using
a computer.
A special needs student in
Vietnam.
Photo credit: Sean
Sprague.
South Asia
Within South Asia, Caritas Australia supports
programs in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. South Asia has a
long history of conflict and war, and the continuing violence is often
linked to the extremely uneven distribution of wealth across South Asia.
Environmental degradation, unequal gender relations and poor human
development have all contributed to the high level of poverty in the
region.
Although a number of the MDGs for South Asia are unlikely to be met
by 2015, Caritas Australia’s programs in the region are
contributing positively towards achieving change and ending extreme
poverty.
Featured
story:
See how Caritas Australia is helping to empower people with
disabilities in Bangladesh through our local partner BPKS.
East Timor
Caritas Australia also has a special relationship with East Timor,
the world's newest nation, but also the world's poorest. In East Timor
we work closely through our local partner, Caritas East Timor, on relief
and rehabilitation efforts.
Central to Caritas Australia’s program work throughout all of Asia
is recognising that there are social and political structures that need
to change if we are to accomplish our task of fostering human
development and alleviating poverty.
Featured
story:
See how Caritas Australia is working in East Timor to stamp out
hunger and improve year-round food security.
Read how Caritas Australia helped Domingas rebuild her life and work towards a
better future after she was assualted and rejected by her
community.
Read more about Caritas' development programs in our Annual
Report — presented as a beautiful photographic
calendar.
Download the 2008–09 Annual Report Calendar (6.3Mb
PDF)
What can you do?
To help support these vital programs in impoverished countries such
as those in Asia, make a donation by calling 1800 024 413, posting
cheques/money orders to GPO BOX 9830 in your capital city, or donate online.
South-East Asia Programs
Regional spend on development programs for 2009/10: $3,099,626
Note: Regional spend figures are not inclusive of emergency
funding that may have gone to those regions also.
Strengthening of Community Based Organisations and
Development
Vietnam Partnership Support
Disability Project
Disability Project, Hue
Regional
Sustainable Agriculture
South Asia, East Timor and Burma Programs
Regional spend on development programs for 2009/10: AUD $4,540,878 Note: Regional spend figures are not inclusive of emergency funding
that may have gone to those regions also.
Out of respect for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, Caritas Australia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which all of its offices within Australia are located.
