Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian organization of the U.S. Catholic Bishops that seeks to end poverty, hunger and disease. We work in 112 countries, reaching 121 million people each year. Our mission is grounded in Catholic values, which call on us to foster compassion and dignity among the world’s most marginalized people.
To learn more about CRS, visit www.CRS.org
Browse our Site:
Latest Updates
Program Cuts
These last few months have been truly difficult. Rapid and frequent changes in administration policies have brought us to an unprecedented moment.
- 83% of USAID-funded programs were canceled, including many implemented by CRS and its local Church partners.
- CRS programs that provided school lunches around the world, were drastically reduced.
- Congress approved the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in international aid. The impact will be felt for years to come.
We are deeply grateful for the support of people like you—for your dedication and service to our one human family. In the past six months:
- More than 28,000 people across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico raised their voices by sending 200,993 emails and making 2,880 calls to Congress.
This support for international aid contributed to:
- Key payments for essential programs were resumed.
- 10 CRS programs were saved.
- $400 million was preserved for global health initiatives.
- New opportunities for dialogue with Congress were opened.
- Your voice is urgently needed. Click here to tell Congress that we have a moral duty to alleviate poverty and reduce human suffering.
CRS information on Gaza
Families in Gaza are enduring catastrophic conditions as hostilities escalate and basic necessities for survival vanish. The Ministry of Health in Gaza and the United Nations reports indicate that deaths from starvation and severe malnutrition are rising daily. Amid relentless violence, people are grappling with death, injury, forced displacement and deep psychological trauma. More than 2 million people are now crammed into an area smaller than 17 square miles, with 88% of the territory under Israeli military control or designated for evacuation.
Click here to learn more
CRS Mission Statement
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to:
- PROMOTE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and,
- SERVE CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.
As part of the universal mission of the Catholic Church, we work with local, national and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist people on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality.
To learn more about how - Faith. Action. Results. - is the foundation of CRS, visit www.crs.org/about/mission-statement
About CRS
In 1943, the Roman Catholic Bishops of the United States established Catholic Relief Services to help war-torn Europe and its refugees recover. During World War II, CRS’ work focused on the resettlement of war refugees in Europe. Today, more than 70 years later, our mission continues to focus on the poor overseas, using the gospel of Jesus Christ as our mandate. We continually seek to help those most in need, providing assistance on the basis of need, without regard to race, creed or nationality.
Focusing on innovative programs in agriculture, health and emergency response, we partner with communities and other Church institutions around the world to address urgent needs, while developing solutions to help vulnerable people survive and thrive long term. We are located in 101 countries, have a global staff of 5000, and serve nearly 100,000,000 people each year.
Within the United States, we help Catholics in parishes, dioceses and schools live their faith through tangible programs and activities that promote human dignity and respond to human needs around the world.
To learn more about the history of Catholic Relief Services, visit: http://www.crs.org/about/crs-history
Contact Information
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Catholic Relief Services
Theresa Chamblee
Director
317-236-1404
tchamblee@archindy.org
