Caritas issued a fervent call against the atrocities in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and other conflict zones calling for an end to the violence
Newsroom (21/08/2025, Gaudium Press )On World Humanitarian Day, Caritas Internationalis, the global humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church, issued a fervent call to amplify the voices of religious leaders and people of faith horrified by the atrocities in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and other conflict zones. The organization urged those with the power to end the violence to act decisively, emphasizing the intrinsic dignity and value of every human life.
Caritas joined humanitarian agencies worldwide in honoring aid workers who have lost their lives delivering life-saving assistance in crises and pressed governments to address the impunity surrounding attacks on civilians and humanitarian personnel. The stark reality is that aid workers face unprecedented dangers. In 2024, over 380 aid workers were killed across 20 countries while fulfilling their missions. The first five months of 2025 alone saw 128 deaths across 17 countries, signaling a worsening trend.
Operating in over 162 countries and territories, the Caritas confederation has witnessed firsthand the risks faced by frontline responders in conflict zones. From South Sudan to Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local Church networks remain steadfast, providing aid and protection even when other agencies are forced to withdraw.
“People worldwide see the horrors inflicted on civilians and aid workers in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond through news and social media,” said Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General. “For Caritas staff on the frontlines, this is their daily reality. On World Humanitarian Day, we ask everyone to consider: what can you do, and what can your government do, to support those helping people in warzones and to stop the violence against civilians? Without real commitment and accountability, these atrocities will persist.”
The need for stronger protections and political commitment to international humanitarian law has reached a critical juncture. Caritas called for urgent measures to safeguard humanitarian workers and civilians, alongside renewed adherence to global norms. At a recent gathering of aid agencies for oriental Churches, the Catholic Church expressed alarm over the erosion of international humanitarian law.
“It is troubling to see that the force of international law and humanitarian law seems no longer to be binding, replaced by the alleged right to coerce others,” said Pope Leo XIV.
This concern resonates across the Caritas confederation, which is deeply troubled by the weakening of norms that once protected the most vulnerable. “The protection of civilians and aid workers is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative, rooted in justice, solidarity, and the love of God,” said Abbé Edouard Makimba Milambo, Executive Secretary of Caritas Congo Asbl. Following a devastating attack on civilians in a Catholic Church in eastern DRC on July 27, Milambo stressed the need to respect, protect, and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, whose missions are vital to preserving lives and dignity.
In the Middle East, 2025 has been one of the deadliest years in recent history. Yet, Caritas Lebanon highlighted the resilience of workers and volunteers who persevere amid devastation. “They have killed our loved ones, destroyed our homes, and stolen our livelihoods, but they can never take away our faith, our love for our land, or our commitment to stand by our brothers and sisters,” said Fr Michel Abboud, President of Caritas Lebanon.
Caritas also paid tribute to colleagues lost in recent years, including Viola Al Amash and Issam Abedrabbo of Caritas Jerusalem, and others in Mariupol, Ukraine, and Niger. “Today, we remember, we mourn, and we pray,” the organization stated. “But above all, we demand—clearly and without hesitation—the protection of those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Their memory compels us not only to honor them but to act.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Caritas
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