From 1941 to 1976, the Catholic Church in Greece was represented in the European network of Caritas by the charity organization of the Greek Catholic Exarchate “The Divine Providence” with its versatile and rich charitable work.
From 1976 to 1980 the first steps for organizing the work of the national Organization at a national level took place, which in 1981 officially received the title Caritas Hellas, as the institution which coordinates the charitable work and social support provided by the Catholic Church in Greece, at local, national, European and international level.
In 1994 Caritas Hellas also acquired legal status as a recognized Charitable Non-Profit and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). It is based in Athens, it is under the auspices of the Greek Catholic Bishops’ Conference and it is a member of the network of Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Europa.
Its vision and mission is to bring to life the Gospel Message of Love and Justice, for the full evolution of people, with special emphasis on individuals and groups of people who need help, without any discrimination.
Its purpose is the creation and implementation of humanitarian and charitable activities and programs, as well as the development of a spirit of solidarity and volunteerism in society.
Caritas Hellas respects and promotes:
– The implementation of international humanitarian law, international law for the protection of refugees and human rights and international standards for disaster management.
-The decisions of the international conferences on the Rights of the Child, Immigration, Trafficking and the Elimination of Discrimination.
-The values which are in accordance with the Codes of Ethics of Caritas Internationalis, as well as the policies for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults from any kind of exploitation (economic, sexual, etc.).
During the economic and refugee crisis in our country, Caritas Hellas expanded its activities based on organized solidarity, the relief of the basic needs of vulnerable fellow human beings, as well as the social integration of refugees. From 2013 to October 2021 it has served more than 504,902 people through various programs that it carries out, such as:
SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE THROUGH THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN GREECE 1/2013 – 2/2016
During the economic crisis in Greece, Caritas Hellas developed assistance programs for the most vulnerable and marginalized citizens. The programs “ELPIS 1 & 2” (HOPE 1 & 2), “ESTIA” (HOME) & “AGAPO KAI PROSFERO” (LOVE & OFFER) covered basic needs in food, medicine, payment of electricity bills, on a monthly basis for 2946 families, for 186,816 people in total.
EMERGENCY PROGRAM OF CARITAS GREECE FOR THE MATI FIRES & INSTITUTE FOR THE CHILD “PAMMAKARISTOS” 1/7/2017 – 10/2021
Coverage of basic needs of fire victims in Mati, Rafina and Marathon and provision of Social Service:
-Distribution of 19,662 hot meals
-Social Service: 3,211 people served
-Development of amusement activities for 1,110 children
SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES FROM THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC – CARITAS GREECE & CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS
Support for 255 single-parent families with a one-time payment of a financial allowance of 307 euros.
Number of people served: 688 individuals
EMERGENCY PROGRAMS FOR THE REFUGEE CRISIS – CARITAS HELLAS & CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS 25/8/2015 – 31/3/2020
With the onset of the refugee crisis in the summer of 2015 and the drama of hundreds of thousands of people coming from Turkey to our country, Caritas Hellas, in collaboration with the international network of Caritas, implemented five Emergency Programs to provide immediate assistance to 215,294 people in total with:
• Distribution of 2,900 sleeping bags, 980 pairs of shoes, 3,113 backpacks and 5,800 jackets
• Food distribution (105,500 portions of food, 176,000 kilos of vegetables, 10,000 bottles of water)
• Provision of two houses in Eidomeni that were used as storage spaces
• Distribution of packages with personal hygiene items to 7500 adults and babies
• Installation of 227 chemical toilets and 75 shower cabins in refugee camps
• Distribution of prepaid cards to 2,700 people and 2,200 families. By decision of the Coordinating Body for Refugees appointed at the time, the Government, the High Commission and Non-Governmental Organizations undertook the distribution of monthly bank cards to refugees, worth 90 euros for individuals and 290 euros for families
• Installation of a water tank in an accommodation structure
• Provision of supermarket vouchers to 305 families
• Donation of 10,000 euros to the Caritas Athens Refugee Program Sector for the provision of daily meals to refugees
• Provision of psychosocial support by groups of social workers, psychologists and educators
• Establishment of a Social Center for men in the open shelter of refugees of Kara Tepe in Lesvos by providing a container, where activities of entertainment, learning, exchange of cultural experiences etc. were developed. This project was considered by the International Caritas as innovative and reduced tensions among the population
• Construction and installation of a playground in Vasilika
• Repair and renovation of the playground of the village of Eidomeni that had been destroyed by refugees
• Development of child amusement activities
• Support for 122 students and 355 families to meet their monthly basic survival needs
• Purchase and installation of 50 houses with independent bathroom, kitchen and air conditioning in the Diavata camp, on the outskirts of Thessaloniki
CARITAS HELLAS HOUSING PROGRAM IN HOTELS IN LESVOS & ATHENS 15/11/2015 – 31/8/2018
Provision of temporary safe housing to 9,722 refugees who arrived in Greece
Activities program in Athens and Lesvos:
• Provision of safe accommodation: 221 beds in hotels in Athens and 222 beds in a hotel in Lesvos
• Hot meals 3 times a day
• Providing psychosocial support
• Providing assistance in cases of medical need
• Assistance in asylum procedures, family reunification, etc.
• Distribution of clothing, personal hygiene items and necessities, etc.
• Providing information on the route to the border or their final destination
• Establishment of a Social Center for daily service of refugees, which was co-financed by the Emergency Program. Until December 2016, 4,000 people were served
• Development of language learning services for children and adults
• Creation of a children’s amusement space
• Providing space with computers and internet to facilitate refugees in their asylum application procedures
It is worth noting that Caritas Hellas was the first body to implement the innovative provision of temporary housing in order to facilitate the livelihood of refugees.
CARITAS HELLAS HOUSING PROGRAM-CRS-UNHCR-MINISTRY OF IMMIGRATION & ASYLUM – E.E. 1/9/2016 – 10/2021
Providing safe accommodation and livelihood to vulnerable families of asylum seekers in buildings or apartments in Athens and Thessaloniki. Total number of people served: 6,900
CARITAS HELLAS HOUSING PROGRAM -CARITAS ITALY & GERMANY 1/7/2016 – 10/2020
Housing serviced: 1,350 people
Recipients of social service etc.: 1,618 people
SOCIAL SPOTS – SOCIAL SERVICES – INCLUSION OF REFUGEES & IMMIGRANTS 1/7/2016 – 10/2021
22,500 people have been served at Caritas Hellas Social Centers in Thessaloniki and Athens. The services include social and psychological support, education, cultural activities, Greek and English language courses, job counseling, etc.
WORK INTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR REFUGEES & IMMIGRANTS CARITAS HELLAS & CRS 1/7/2017 – 10/2021
The program is about job counseling and support for refugees / immigrants, the process of writing a resume, looking for a job, participating in job interviews, as well as connecting employers and prospective employees.
Served: 1,146 people
REGISTRATION PROGRAM OF RECOGNIZED REFUGEES (HELIOS) CARITAS HELLAS-CRS & IOM 1/6/2019 -10/2021
Served: 8,017 people
Number of people who received personalized services: 26,868
The purpose of the HELIOS program is the integration of recognized refugees in Greek society by promoting their independent living, which is implemented through: a) the support of autonomous housing, b) integration courses, c) promotion in the labor market. The program is addressed exclusively to Beneficiaries of International Protection, who have been served with the decision to grant them international protection status since 01/01/2018.
More about the work of Caritas Hellas : www.caritas.gr