
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It was founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States to aid refugees of war-torn Europe. CRS provides assistance to millions of people in numerous countries and territories across the world through various programs and initiatives. The organisation has been involved in providing humanitarian aid to those affected by natural disasters, war, and poverty.
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What You'll Learn
- Catholic Relief Services is an international humanitarian agency
- It provides emergency assistance and helps people break the cycle of poverty
- It works with global partners to promote peace and justice
- It serves as a leading member of the US Global Leadership Coalition
- It provides assistance without discrimination

Catholic Relief Services is an international humanitarian agency
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States, the agency provides assistance to 130 million people in more than 100 countries and territories. It is committed to working with global partners to create more peaceful and just societies.
CRS is a leading member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a Washington D.C.-based coalition of over 400 major companies and NGOs that advocates for increased funding of American diplomatic and development efforts abroad. It is also a member of Caritas International, a worldwide network of Catholic humanitarian agencies.
CRS provides relief in emergencies and helps people in the developing world break the cycle of poverty through community-based, sustainable development initiatives. Its programming has included simple distributions of food, clothing, and medicines, as well as projects focused on health care, nutrition education, micro-enterprise, and agriculture. Assistance is based solely on need, not race, creed, or nationality.
CRS has responded to several natural disasters, including Hurricane Maria in 2017, when it distributed food and hygiene kits to families in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. It also provides support to families, helping to protect vulnerable children, reunite families, and encourage legislation that reflects the importance of family in society.
CRS has been recognised for its work, receiving a Gold Award from the Independent Film and Video Competition for its "Water for Life" documentary, which highlights the lack of access to clean water for over 1 billion people.
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It provides emergency assistance and helps people break the cycle of poverty
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian agency that provides emergency assistance and helps people break free from the cycle of poverty. It was founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. The organisation has since expanded its reach to more than 100 countries, providing support to over 130 million people.
CRS has been at the forefront of providing emergency relief to those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. For instance, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which devastated several Caribbean islands in 2017, CRS distributed essential food and hygiene kits to families in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Similarly, in response to the 2021 earthquake in Haiti, CRS mobilised its resources to aid the victims and assist in the recovery efforts.
CRS also works to address the underlying causes of poverty and promote sustainable development. They support community-based initiatives that empower individuals to improve their livelihoods. For instance, in Chad, CRS established community savings and lending services, enabling villagers to start and grow businesses, thereby uplifting their families and the wider community.
In addition to emergency response and poverty alleviation, CRS's programming has evolved to encompass a range of areas, including health care, nutrition education, microfinance, agriculture, water, education, and peacebuilding. They tailor their responses to meet the specific needs of the communities they serve, working closely with local churches and partners to create a unified global family.
CRS values the importance of family and works to protect vulnerable children, reunite families, and advocate for family-centric legislation. They also address critical global issues, such as human trafficking and modern-day slavery, collaborating with organisations like the Coalition of Organisations and Ministries Promoting the Abolition of Slavery at Sea (COMPASS).
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It works with global partners to promote peace and justice
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian agency that works with global partners to promote peace and justice. It was founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. The organisation is committed to working with global partners to build more peaceful and just societies.
CRS is a leading member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a Washington D.C.-based coalition of over 400 major companies and NGOs advocating for increased funding of American diplomatic and development efforts abroad. As a member of Caritas Internationalis, a worldwide network of Catholic humanitarian agencies, CRS provides relief in emergencies and helps people in the developing world break free from poverty through community-based, sustainable development initiatives.
CRS has a presence in over 100 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. It tailors its response to the needs of the people it serves, providing assistance without discrimination based on race, religion, or nationality. The organisation works with local churches and partners to create a world where people live as one human family.
CRS's programming has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves. Initially focused on distributing food, clothing, and medicines, the organisation expanded its scope to include socio-economic development, healthcare, nutrition education, micro-enterprise, and agriculture. CRS also engages in peacebuilding efforts and works to protect vulnerable children, reunite families, and promote the importance of family in society.
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It serves as a leading member of the US Global Leadership Coalition
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a leading member of the US Global Leadership Coalition, a coalition of over 400 major companies and NGOs based in Washington, D.C. The coalition advocates for increased funding for American diplomatic and development efforts abroad. As a leading member, CRS plays a crucial role in shaping and influencing the coalition's activities and initiatives.
CRS has a long history of providing humanitarian assistance and emergency relief to vulnerable communities worldwide. Founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States, CRS is committed to assisting those in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. Over the years, the organization has expanded its reach and now operates in more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
As a member of the US Global Leadership Coalition, CRS leverages its expertise and resources to advocate for increased diplomatic engagement and sustainable development initiatives. They work closely with other coalition members to influence policy decisions and secure funding for international aid programs. CRS's involvement in the coalition aligns with its mission to address global challenges and promote peace and justice.
One example of CRS's work within the coalition is their response to Hurricane Maria in 2017. In the aftermath of the devastating storm, which caused widespread destruction in several Caribbean islands, CRS distributed thousands of food and hygiene kits to families in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Their timely response and collaboration with Caritas partners highlighted the organization's commitment to humanitarian relief and their ability to mobilize resources effectively.
Additionally, as a leading member of the coalition, CRS engages in policy discussions and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about global issues. They collaborate with government agencies, international organizations, and local communities to address challenges such as poverty, climate change, and social inequality. By actively participating in the US Global Leadership Coalition, CRS contributes to shaping the global development agenda and ensuring that American diplomatic efforts remain focused on addressing the needs of vulnerable populations worldwide.
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It provides assistance without discrimination
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It was founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. The organisation has been committed to providing assistance without discrimination for over 80 years.
CRS provides assistance based solely on need, without regard to race, religion, creed or nationality. It serves people from a range of ethnicities and backgrounds, addressing a myriad of needs. The organisation works with global partners to create a more peaceful and just society.
CRS has a presence in over 100 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It supports hundreds of transformative projects, tailoring its response to the needs of the people it serves.
The organisation's programming has evolved over time, from simple distributions of food, clothing and medicine to the poor, to a wider focus on socio-economic development. Today, its key areas of work include emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, water, education, microfinance, peacebuilding and partnership.
In 2017, for example, CRS responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in the Caribbean. Together with Caritas partners, they distributed food and hygiene kits to families in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It was founded in 1943 by the Bishops of the United States.
Catholic Relief Services supports hundreds of transformative projects in more than 100 countries around the world. Their work includes emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, water, education, microfinance, peacebuilding, and partnership. They also provide relief in emergencies and help people in the developing world break the cycle of poverty through community-based, sustainable development initiatives.
Catholic Relief Services works in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Their work is tailored to the needs of the people they serve and is based solely on need, not race, creed, or nationality.
Catholic Relief Services is funded through donations and private donors. They also receive support from the U.S. Government and are a leading member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, which advocates for increased funding of American diplomatic and development efforts abroad.











































