Media Releases

Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia CEO visiting Tsemay community in drought affected Jinka region, southwestern Ethiopia. Photo Zacharias Abubeker, Caritas Australia.

Caritas Australia launches appeal to address hunger

28 Jul 22

Over 18 million people are facing hunger in the Horn of Africa after the worst drought in decades has devastated crops and livestock across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

Caritas Cambodia and Caritas Australia: Vichheka Nay, Rattana Kim, Ranmal Samarawickrama, Chanthea Nou, Phaldyn Prum, and Joseph Komandachaly. Photo Caritas Cambodia

Caritas Australia receives the Royal Order of Sahametrei from the Cambodian Government

15 Jul 22

Caritas Australia has been awarded the Royal Order of Sahametrei from the Cambodian Government, presented by their partner organisation Caritas Cambodia.

Caritas Australia CEO, Ms. Kirsty Robertson, and Advancement Director, Mr. Richard Landels, met with His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel in Addis Ababa to discuss the renewed partnership between Caritas Ethiopia and Caritas Australia, and their shared interests in protection and vocational education.

Caritas Australia CEO meets with Cardinal Souraphiel in Addis Ababa

06 Jul 22

A delegation from Caritas Australia has travelled to Ethiopia to meet with its partner Caritas Ethiopia to discuss the response to the ongoing food crisis gripping the Horn of Africa region.

04 Jul 22

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: After three years of poor rainfall, some of the worst locust plagues in decades, ongoing conflict and now the impacts of the war in Ukraine, the Horn of Africa is currently facing what is potentially the worst food crisis we have seen in our lifetime.

23 Jun 22

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has devastated Afghanistan and Pakistan, causing over 1,000 deaths and a further 1,600 injuries.  

Uncle Lester, a Survivor of the Stolen Generation from Kinchela Boys Home, with Transport NSW Staff at Bourke Plaque Unveiling. The plaque commemorates the children who were forcibly removed from their families at the station and sent to Kinchela Boys Home. Photo: Caritas Australia.

Stolen Generation survivors recognised in Bourke plaque unveiling

16 Jun 22

On June 10, survivors from the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation took part in a ceremony hosted by Transport NSW to formally recognise the role that the Bourke Railway station played during the Stolen Generation.

01 Jun 22

This Reconciliation Week, Caritas Australia calls on the government to continue to work towards closing the gap for First Australians.

23 May 22

Caritas Australia congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on winning the federal election and welcomes Labor’s stated commitment to foreign aid and the Uluru Statement of the Heart. 

20 May 22

After three years of poor rainfall, some of the worst locust plagues seen in decades, and ongoing conflict, displacement and the impacts of COVID-19, millions of people are facing hunger and even starvation across the Horn of Africa. 

18 May 22

Since the start of the conflict, Caritas Australia has raised more than $3.5 million for its Ukraine Appeal.  

“We are so incredibly humbled by the generosity of our supporters, both long-term and new. The compassion that they have shown to the people of Ukraine during their hour of need is truly amazing,” said Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia’s CEO.  

26 Apr 22

Caritas Australia has welcomed Labor’s pledge to boost Australian Official Development Assistance for Pacific countries and Timor-Leste by $525 million over the next four years and urges the Coalition to increase its own funding commitments.

12 Apr 22

Caritas Australia mourns the devastating loss of two of Caritas Ukraine’s staff in the Mariupol centre, along with five other people who were sheltering at the office when it was struck by a Russian tank. 

29 Mar 22

Caritas Australia welcomes the new aid commitments at a time when there is greater global need than ever but expresses concern that these increases are not enough to meet growing needs. 

21 Mar 22

An enormous, largely Church-based, volunteer network is responding to the mounting humanitarian need in Ukraine, which is causing devastating consequences for civilians.

17 Mar 22

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has caused over three million people to flee the country – mostly women, children and the elderly.

16 Mar 22

Despite the recent evacuation of at least 160 cars of civilians from Mariupol, there is still concern that the approximately 400,000 civilians left trapped in the besieged city cannot be left much longer without urgent humanitarian aid.  

10 Mar 22

Russian bombs have destroyed a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol, despite efforts to set up a humanitarian corridor to get the 400,000 residents to safety. It is estimated that 17 people have been wounded, including children and even women in labour.

07 Mar 22

This International Women’s Day, Caritas Australia invites Australians to join a series of online public forums this month, held by the global Caritas network for Caritas Women’s Month.  

05 Mar 22

Caritas Australia joins the international Caritas network and World Health Organisation in calling for an urgent humanitarian corridor in Ukraine to prevent further loss and suffering. Increasing numbers of people are trapped in cities under constant attack, unable to leave as wide-scale evacuations have not been possible.

02 Mar 22

Caritas Australia welcomes the initial $35 million commitment from the Australian Government for urgent humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.   

“This humanitarian aid is desperately needed in Ukraine right now,” said Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia’s CEO.  

01 Mar 22

On March 2, Ash Wednesday, Caritas Australia will be holding “Pray for Ukraine”, a special prayer in solidarity with Ukraine open to all via Zoom at 4pm AEST. Caritas Australia’s Director of Mission, Michael McGirr, will be leading the vigil. 