The 2026 Global Peace Index: A more violent, less supported world

It was a close call for Caritas staff and the local community, with flames coming dangerously close to both buildings.

Just a year ago, 11-year-old Amrita’s educational prospects seemed uncertain. Amrita had always been recognised as an academically strong student, but poverty and her village’s remoteness almost forced her to discontinue her education. 

When disaster strikes, it often hits the most vulnerable communities the hardest. That’s exactly what’s happening right now in Venezuela, where two powerful earthquakes have caused widespread devastation, leaving families displaced, infrastructure damaged and thousands in urgent need of support.

Today, millions of people in Sudan are living without access to basic necessities. The healthcare system has collapsed. There is chronic food insecurity. Women and girls face rising risks of violence and exploitation. 

Caritas Australia travelled to Papua New Guinea alongside ABC journalist Geraldine Doogue, visiting partners and communities from Port Moresby to Alotau in Milne Bay Province.

Each year the Global Peace Index provides us with a snapshot of the state of our world. This year’s picture is a difficult one.

On the night of 2 June, Ukraine came under a massive, coordinated attack. Cities including Kyiv, Sumy, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Lubny, Poltava region and Kharkiv were struck as 73 missiles and 656 drones were launched. Many of these weapons are extremely difficult to intercept. Within the first ten minutes alone, 23 ballistic missiles hit four cities simultaneously, leaving people almost no time to reach safety. 

Pope Leo doesn’t deal with problems in isolation. He has found a voice. This encyclical is measured, systematic, considered, focussed and strong.

War is unfolding across many parts of our world. While the headlines may feel distant, the impacts are not.  Human rights anywhere are human rights everywhere. We share one world, and what affects one part of it ultimately affects us all. 

Rising petrol prices and increased costs of fertilisers are placing pressure on households and communities. Yet the heaviest burden continues to fall on people living at the heart of conflict, families who have lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones, and who face each day with uncertainty. 

This year’s Laudato Si' theme, “From Hope to Action,” reminds us that hope is not passive.

The Climate Action and Building Resilience in Timor-Leste project is helping communities adapt to the growing impacts of climate change while addressing the intersecting vulnerabilities faced by women, young people and people with disabilities. 

Safeguarding is about protecting human dignity, addressing power imbalances and supporting everyone to thrive. For Filipo Masaurua, Caritas Australia Safeguarding Lead, safeguarding means ensuring no one is placed at risk by the work of organisations designed to support them.

In this conversation, Filipo reflects on his lived experience across the Pacific region, why safeguarding must be embedded in everyday practice, and how Caritas Australia ensures safety, respect and compassion for all.

Caritas Australia Board Director Gerald Stack makes the case for aid as a smart, disciplined investment.

When climate disasters strike, the difference between devastation and resilience often comes down to preparation. Across Southeast Asia, communities are already living with the daily impacts of climate change – unpredictable seasons, stronger storms and growing environmental pressure. 

As Sudan marks three years since the outbreak of a brutal and devastating conflict, we stand in solidarity with millions of people whose lives have been torn apart by violence, hunger and displacement. As the conflict enters its fourth year, more families are being pushed deeper into one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies. 

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the women and caregivers who shape our lives with love, resilience and determination. It is a moment to say thank you for the sacrifices made, the encouragement given, and the strength mums bring to their families every day. 

Each year more than 1,700 schools and 1,200 parishes take part in Project Compassion, and one thing consistently helps young people in particular connect, and that’s real stories of children just like them.  

As we mark International Women’s Day, we are invited not only to celebrate the achievements of women and girls around the world, but also to reflect on the extraordinary resilience they show in the face of crisis. From conflict zones to communities grappling with disaster, women continue to carry their families and neighbours through the toughest moments, often quietly, courageously, and without recognition.