News

Caritas Czech Republic is releasing extraordinary financial resources to support Ukraine
January 23, 2026 News

Caritas Czech Republic is releasing extraordinary financial resources to support Ukraine

Russian attacks on Ukraine continue to damage the energy grid and civilian infrastructure. Many people, especially in Kyiv and the surrounding areas, are left in the middle of winter without electricity, warmth, or water. Temperatures are dropping well below zero, and the repairs to the energy grid are progressing very slowly. According to recent prognoses, extremely cold weather will last for the next few weeks. In such a situation, every form of support is crucial. The Czechs have repeatedly shown that they can act fast, with understanding and compassion. Thanks to solidarity, it is possible to help in places where people are fighting for the most basic conditions for life. 

Majed from Syria used to buy expensive water every three days. Today, thanks to Caritas, he has his own supply
January 23, 2026 News

Majed from Syria used to buy expensive water every three days. Today, thanks to Caritas, he has his own supply

Until recently, Majed from Syria had to buy expensive water for his entire family every three days. Today, thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, he has his own source of clean water, sufficient both for household needs and for irrigating crops. In collaboration with the organisation Takaful Al-Sham, we put into operation the local pumping station and restored the water supply network. As a result, Majed no longer has to pay for water and can save money instead. 

Almaz used to worry about her children’s health due to contaminated water. Today, she takes care of her community
January 15, 2026 News

Almaz used to worry about her children’s health due to contaminated water. Today, she takes care of her community

  Until recently, Almaz watched her children drink water with an anxious heart. The water was contaminated, posing an excruciating risk of stomach illnesses. Almaz and her family live in southern Ethiopia, where no other source of water was available. Last year, with support from Caritas Czech Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and Caritas Ethiopia (ECC-SDCO/S), access to local water was restored. Thanks to this, Almaz no longer needs to worry about her children’s safety. Moreover, she saves several hours each week because she no longer has to fetch water from elsewhere. As a result, she has been able to grow her own vegetables and support the family budget. She has also taken responsibility for managing the water spring and has become the voice of her community.

Oleksandra found a job as an accountant in Lviv. Thanks to Caritas, she improved her skills and now contributes to the growth of a well-known local shop.
January 13, 2026 News

Oleksandra found a job as an accountant in Lviv. Thanks to Caritas, she improved her skills and now contributes to the growth of a well-known local shop.

In the weeks before Christmas, Caritas Czech Republic visited Lviv. We also stopped by a shop called „Something Interesting“, which sells blown glass products typical of the town. Oleksandra works as the shop’s accountant. She moved to Lviv from Zaporizhzhia before the war began. She did not plan to settle down, but the conflict has extended her stay indefinitely. Thanks to support from Caritas Czech Republic, she attended two courses that helped her strengthen the company’s growth. 

Thanks to Caritas, Nesreen remembered her own courage. Today, she is helping others in Gaza
January 8, 2026 News

Thanks to Caritas, Nesreen remembered her own courage. Today, she is helping others in Gaza

At forty-two, Nesreen has not had an easy life, not even before the conflict in Gaza began. Two of her four children are living with a serious health condition, and Nesreen dedicated all her time to caring for them. When the war started, the family lost their home and had to overcome other unfortunate twists of fate. The situation finally improved when Nesreen visited the clinic of Caritas Jerusalem, supported by Caritas Czech Republic. Here, she found much-needed words of comfort and understanding. Today, she copes better with the daily challenges of life in Gaza. 

Hamiyanda purchased his dream bike thanks to growing sorghum seed
January 5, 2026 News

Hamiyanda purchased his dream bike thanks to growing sorghum seed

Forty-two-year-old Hamiyanda from Zambia used to rely on growing maize as his main source of livelihood. However, due to the impacts of climate change, this way of farming has become unsustainable. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, Hamiyanda gained knowledge of organic farming and became a sorghum seed grower. Once established in his new career, he was able to purchase his dream bike, which greatly simplified his work. Hamiyanda and other farmers in Zambia are supported by Caritas Czech Republic, even through donations collected in the Three Kings Collection.

Laos confronts rising waste accumulation with Caritas Czech Republic’s support and Czech expertise
December 23, 2025 News

Laos confronts rising waste accumulation with Caritas Czech Republic’s support and Czech expertise

In the capital of Laos, the issue of emissions is so pressing that electric cars are being adopted here more rapidly than in Europe. Nonetheless, the country continues to grapple with the unsustainable problem of waste accumulation. Recently, experts from the BioResources & Technology Division, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) visited Laos. Supported by Caritas Czech Republic, the dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, Antoine Bercy, M.Sc. and Jan Staš, M.Sc., PhD, contributed to an analysis aimed at helping local institutions address the nationwide problem. Among all Southeast Asian countries, Laos has experienced the fastest growth in waste. However, the local infrastructure is unable to process it, says Hynek Roubík in an interview with Caritas Czech Republic. 

Caritas Czech Republic's worldwide achievements in 2025
December 19, 2025 News

Caritas Czech Republic's worldwide achievements in 2025

The year 2025 brought both good and bad news. While a ceasefire was successfully agreed upon in Gaza in October, the humanitarian situation on site remains critical. People lack drinking water, food, medicine, electricity, and safe shelter. In Ukraine and Syria, people are also grappling with the consequences of long-term conflict. Caritas Czech Republic is working to improve their living conditions. For example, we are providing psychosocial care in Gaza, supporting the development of medical facilities in Ukraine, and restoring access to drinking water in Syria. We are also securing local water sources in Ethiopia, where we are simultaneously focusing on modernising agriculture, thereby enabling local farmers to better manage the impacts of climate change. However, this represents only the tip of the iceberg of our activities around the world. Let us, therefore, recall the greatest successes of Caritas Czech Republic’s work over the past year. 

A lifesaving firewood stove. Little Evelina's family will survive the winter in warmth thanks to donated solid fuel
December 15, 2025 Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine

A lifesaving firewood stove. Little Evelina's family will survive the winter in warmth thanks to donated solid fuel

The war forced two-year-old Evelina and her parents, Yevhen and Marjana, to flee their hometown of Marganets in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The family settled in a rural house, where the only source of warmth in winter is an old wood-burning stove. Due to unemployment and the rising cost of solid fuel, it is extremely difficult to heat the house throughout the winter, so the family is grateful for the help provided by Caritas Czech Republic and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

Christmas ornaments shaped like spiders and their webs, or a camel taking on the role of Santa Claus. What unusual traditions are celebrated in countries where Caritas Czech Republic works?
December 11, 2025 News

Christmas ornaments shaped like spiders and their webs, or a camel taking on the role of Santa Claus. What unusual traditions are celebrated in countries where Caritas Czech Republic works?

In the Czech Republic, our unique Christmas tradition involves a golden pig. According to folklore, if we refrain from eating any food during the day, we will see the golden pig shining on the walls in the evening. This tradition might seem strange to people from abroad. Likewise, people in the Czech Republic may raise their eyebrows at Christmas ornaments shaped like spiders and their webs. Such decorations are customary in Ukraine. Let us introduce ourselves to unusual Christmas traditions from countries where Caritas Czech Republic operates.