Palestine

Caritas Czech Republic began helping in Palestine in May 2015. The help focuses on high unemployment of women and young graduates, which is one of the main economic problems of the country. The Palestinian government depends on foreign aid (at least one third). This foreign aid is then delivered to half of the civil service. In cases where these foreign resources dwindle, economic crisis occurs. The main aim of Caritas Czech Republic is therefore to prepare the Palestinians to operate their own businesses and encourage self-employment.

Information about activities in Georgia in 2015 (both in English and Czech) here.

November 12, 2024 News

Caritas joins international call to end violence in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel

The global network Caritas Internationalis, of which Caritas Czech Republic is a member, has joined the call of humanitarian organisations and appeals to all UN member states to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, Israel and the entire region. It also calls for an end to the impunity that allows the continuation and escalation of violence by Israeli forces against the civilian population.

October 17, 2024 News

Caritas Czech Republic at Ambrela Development Forum: Kateřina Velíšková led a panel discussion in Bratislava about the war in Gaza

On Thursday, October 10, the Ambrela Development Forum took place in Bratislava, Slovakia. It brought together speakers from different countries to talk about the major crises and conflicts the world is currently facing. Among them was our colleague Kateřina Velíšková as a moderator, who led a panel discussion on the issue of providing humanitarian aid during the war in Gaza. 

July 4, 2024 News

War in Gaza: The situation stays critical, the biggest problem is constant fighting, which complicates the delivery of humanitarian aid, says Kateřina Velíšková from Caritas Czech Republic

The devastating war in Gaza has been going on since the beginning of October last year. It has left behind an indescribable level of destruction and suffering and has had a major impact on local civilians. The fighting in this closed strip of land has caused one of the greatest humanitarian disasters. What is the situation in Gaza? What do people need the most? How is Caritas helping? Our colleague Kateřina Velíšková, who recently returned from Israel, explains this in an interview. 

May 14, 2024 News

220 days of war in Gaza. Caritas continues to help despite dire conditions

The escalation of the conflict in Gaza has been going on for 220 days now, with tragic consequences for the population. People are living in desperate conditions without access to basic needs and health services. More than 35 000 Palestinians have lost their lives and almost 2 million people have been forced to leave their homes. Moreover, the expansion of Israeli military operations into Rafah in southern Gaza is leading to further massive displacement. Caritas continues to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza despite the dire conditions.  

February 16, 2024 All news

There is no life, no dignity, no humanity. Just indescribable suffering, says Marcel about the war in Gaza

The tragic escalation of the war between Hamas and Israel is now in its fifth month. It leaves behind an indescribable level of destruction and suffering, especially in Gaza. The humanitarian situation on the ground is catastrophic. More than two million people, half of whom are children, are living in inhumane conditions without adequate access to drinking water, food, shelter or healthcare.

November 24, 2023 All news

Caritas Internationalis urges for an immediate ceasefire in the Holy Land

In response to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel and the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, the global organisation Caritas Internationalis, of which we are also a member, has issued a statement: "Now is the time for peace". It calls for an immediate cessation of fighting in the Holy Land, respect for international humanitarian law, the release of hostages and the immediate provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

November 3, 2023 News

Acute fighting limits the possibility of providing essential humanitarian aid in Gaza, says Kateřina Velíšková from Caritas Czech Republic

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas is drastically affecting the civilian population, especially in the Gaza Strip. It is facing an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. We spoke to Kateřina Velíšková, Regional Manager for the Middle East, about the long-term situation in Gaza, what is happening on the ground now and how Caritas is helping. Kateřina herself spent a year in Israel.

October 28, 2023 All news

Humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Caritas Czech Republic launches an appeal to help affected civilians

The war between Israel and Hamas has caused a humanitarian disaster for the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. In a closed area from which there is no escape and nowhere to hide, basic needs, including drinking water, food, medicine and electricity, are running out. Caritas Czech Republic has released funds from its emergency fund and is launching a collection to help affected civilians in the Gaza Strip. They urgently need immediate and safe access to basic humanitarian aid, including medical care. Caritas Jerusalem, which currently has 100 staff on the ground in Gaza, has long provided this assistance.

October 26, 2023 News

Diary from Gaza

"I walk more than a kilometre through a desert tunnel made of wires with automatic gates. Green light, we can go through. Red light, we wait. No one in sight, all visible signs of human presence seem to have disappeared. This place outside of time and space is called Erez: the border that connects Israel to Gaza and Gaza to Israel. A connecting line between two worlds," Rachel Felgines, working at Caritas Internationalis in the Middle East, described the situation in the Gaza Strip in 2016. Today, this crossing into Gaza is also closed.  Moreover, the escalation of the conflict from 7th of October has worsened the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

October 25, 2023 News

People in Gaza do not have drinking water, electricity or fuel. They are exhausted and traumatised, says Harout Bedrossian from Caritas Jerusalem

The consequences of the newly escalated conflict between Israel and Hamas are hitting the civilian population the hardest. The escalation of the conflict has worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. We spoke about the current situation to Harout Bedrossian from Caritas Jerusalem, which has long been helping in the Gaza Strip and has 100 employees in Gaza.