Caritas Andorra

Caritas Andorra
Càritas Andorrana
Established12 April 1979; 45 years ago (12 April 1979)[1][2]
FounderBishop Joan Martí i Alanis[3]
TypeInstitution of the Catholic Church[4]
Purposesocial justice, humanitarian aid
HeadquartersSanta Maria del Fener Church
Location
Coordinates42°30′27″N 1°31′57″E / 42.5074°N 1.5326°E / 42.5074; 1.5326
OriginsCatholic Social Teaching
Region served
Andorra
Servicessocial services: counselling, food, clothes, housing
Official language
Catalan
President
Anna Villas[5]
AffiliationsCaritas Europa, Caritas Internationalis
Revenue530,117.90 Euro[6] (2023)
Expenses682,868.33 Euro[6] (2023)
Volunteers89[6] (2023)
Websitecaritas.ad

Caritas Andorra (Catalan: Càritas Andorrana) is a not-for-profit social welfare organisation in Andorra. It is a service of the Catholic Church in Andorra and a member of both Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Europa.[1]

History

In the 1960s and 1970s already, there were Caritas organisations active at parish level in Andorra. On 12 April 1979, this activity was formalised with the establishment, according to canon law, of Caritas Andorra, the national federation of all parish Caritas in the country.[2]

In 1983, during the 12th General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis in Rome, Caritas Andorra was accepted as a full member of the global confederation.[2]

The latest statutes of the organisation were approved in 1994.[4]

Structure

Càritas Andorrana is an institution of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urgell of which the entire country of Andorra forms a part.[4]

Each of the seven parishes of Andorra have their own parish Caritas ("Càritas parroquial") which together make up the federation that is Caritas Andorra: Caritas Andorra la Vella, Caritas Canillo, Caritas Encamp, Caritas Escaldes–Engordany, Caritas La Massana, Caritas Ordino, and Caritas Sant Julià de Lòria.[6]

Work

In line with its mission to support the most vulnerable members of society, Caritas Andorra provides assistance in various ways. The Acollida ("reception") programme offers personalised, holistic support to individuals and families in difficulty, including counselling, legal and psychological assistance, as well as help with housing, employment, and daily needs. The organisation also manages a food bank and a second-hand clothing store.[7]

Thanks to property donations from individuals, Caritas Andorra is able to provide rental homes at social and affordable prices. The organisation collaborates with the government by participating in the National Housing Commission and has developed a specific programme aimed at promoting fair and sustainable housing policies, ensuring access to decent housing for everyone in the country.[8]

In 2023, Caritas Andorra supported 1,148 individuals in need.[8]

Beyond its domestic efforts, Caritas Andorra aids victims of disasters and emergencies abroad. For instance, it raised funds for those affected by the 2023 Turkey earthquake[9] and provided humanitarian relief items to those impacted by the 2024 Valenica floods.[10]

Caritas Andorra funds its initiatives through private and corporate donations, including support from the association of Andorran Banks (Andorran Banking),[11] Andorra Telecom, Creand and the Andorran government.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b "Càritas Andorrana". Dona Secret (58): 154. January 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Sàrries i Ribalta, Ramon, Mossèn (2008). "Presència de l'Església en la societat andorrana". Andorra I el Seu Capital Social: 20a Diada Andorrana (in Catalan). XXXIX Universitat Catalana d'Estiu.
  3. ^ "Arxiprestat de les Valls d'Andorra - Acció Social". esglesiacatolica.ad (in Catalan). Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Statutes of Caritas Andorra" (PDF). caritas.ad (in Catalan). 6 May 1994. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  5. ^ ""Arribo a Càritas amb la il·lusió de poder col·laborar a fer una societat andorrana més justa"". Altaveu (in Catalan). 2 November 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "Memòria d'activitats 2023". caritas.ad (in Catalan). 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Càritas segueix 'denunciant' la dificultat que hi ha al país per accedir a un habitatge digne". Altaveu (in Catalan). 7 July 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Càritas Andorrana va atendre 1.148 persones durant el 2023". El Periòdic d'Andorra (in Catalan). 7 July 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Càritas recull 25.000 euros per ajudar els damnificats del terratrèmol a Síria i Turquia". Altaveu (in Catalan). 14 February 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Càritas Andorrana envia un tràiler amb 32 tones de material i roba cap a València". Altaveu (in Catalan). 8 November 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  11. ^ "Andorran Banking dona 6.000 euros al programa d'atenció primària de Càritas". El Periòdic d'Andorra (in Catalan). 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Andorra Telecom dona 1.055 euros a Càritas Andorrana". El Periòdic d'Andorra (in Catalan). 3 February 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2024.