Joshua Bennett
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It was founded during World War II as War Relief Services to aid refugees of war-torn Europe, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. In 1955, the organization's name was changed to Catholic Relief Services to reflect its shift in focus from war relief to long-term development. Over the next decade, CRS expanded its operations globally, opening 25 country programs and continuing to serve the most vulnerable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1947 |
| Original name | War Relief Services |
| Renamed | 1955 |
| Renamed to | Catholic Relief Services |
| Purpose | Aid refugees of war-torn Europe |
| Current purpose | To ease suffering and provide assistance to people in need |
| Number of countries supported | More than 100 |
| Budget | $1.5 billion |
| Percentage of budget funded by USAID | 50% |
| Number of country programs opened between 1955 and 1965 | 25 |
| Locations of country programs | Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East |
| Number of staff reevaluating relief and development programs after the 1994 Rwanda massacre | All |
| Number of staff at the CRS World Summit in Tampa, Florida | 250 |
| Number of food and hygiene kits distributed to families in Cuba after Hurricane Maria | 7,000 |
| Number of food and hygiene kits distributed to families in the Dominican Republic after Hurricane Maria | 1,700+ |
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What You'll Learn
World War II origins
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) was founded during World War II, initially established as War Relief Services by the US Bishops to aid refugees and survivors of the war in Europe. The organisation's founding principle was to assist people based on need, without discrimination, and in collaboration with local organisations, particularly Catholic Church agencies.
CRS's first project involved assisting around 1,500 Polish refugees who were settling in Colonia Santa Rosa, Mexico. They established a safe haven for education, training, and rehabilitation, which lasted for four years. During this period, CRS also initiated the first annual Laetare Sunday Bishops' Relief Collection to finance postwar international relief programs.
In the post-war years, CRS continued its mission to serve the vulnerable, collecting and distributing essential supplies to those in need. This included the Thanksgiving Clothing Appeal, which gathered over 7 million pounds of clothing and soap for Europe and China during the winter months.
CRS also provided crucial support to refugees fleeing North Vietnam following the country's partition, distributing food, medicine, and clothing to nearly 1 million people. The organisation's efforts reflected a broader shift from solely war relief to a more long-term development focus, leading to its renaming as Catholic Relief Services in 1955.
Over the following decade, Catholic Relief Services expanded its reach significantly, establishing 25 country programs across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. This expansion was facilitated by several factors, including the end of colonial rule in numerous countries, the enduring support of the American Catholic community, and the availability of food and financial resources from the US Government.
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Expansion in the 1950s
Initially founded as War Relief Services, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) was first established during World War II to aid refugees of war-torn Europe. In the mid-1950s, a confluence of events, including the end of colonial rule in many countries, the support of American Catholics, and the availability of food and financial aid from the US government, helped CRS expand its operations globally.
In 1955, the organisation officially changed its name to Catholic Relief Services to reflect its expanded mission. Over the following decade, CRS opened 25 country programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. This expansion was made possible through the support of the American Catholic community and US government resources.
CRS's work during this period included providing food rations to the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces in Asia. The organisation's focus on long-term development, rather than just immediate relief, guided its expansion into new regions. This shift in mission was reflected in the name change from War Relief Services to Catholic Relief Services, signifying a broader scope of work beyond war relief.
CRS's expansion in the 1950s set the foundation for its continued growth and impact in the following decades. The organisation's commitment to serving the most vulnerable and its ability to adapt to changing global needs have guided its evolution. Today, CRS continues to provide aid and assistance to those in need worldwide, building on the foundations laid during its expansion in the 1950s.
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Rwanda massacre response
The Rwandan Genocide, which took place in 1994, was a dark chapter in the history of humanity, underscoring the international community's failure to protect innocent lives. It also brought to light the shortcomings of religious institutions, including the Catholic Church, in their response to the crisis.
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS), staying true to its founding values, answered the call to aid Rwanda during this difficult period. CRS' involvement in Rwanda began in June 1994, as the organisation responded to the immediate short-term emergency needs of the country in the wake of the genocide. This included providing essential aid to the survivors and supporting the country's ravaged agricultural sector, which was the primary source of livelihood for rural Rwandans.
CRS' agricultural rehabilitation programs distributed seeds and tools to returnees and internally displaced people, helping them to restart their agricultural activities. As the situation evolved, CRS' programs transitioned from emergency aid to transition programming. This phase, which lasted from 1997 to 2001, saw CRS construct houses for the displaced, provide institutional feeding at safety net centres for vulnerable groups, and continue to support agricultural development through initiatives like lowland development and watershed management to enhance crop productivity for those most in need.
The organisation's response to the Rwandan massacre was a turning point, leading to a reevaluation of its relief and development programs, especially in contexts of ethnic conflict. CRS adopted a new vision of global solidarity, integrating a justice-centred approach into all its programming, guided by Catholic social teachings. This new approach ensured that CRS' interventions were not only effective and sustainable but also socially and economically equitable for the communities they served.
CRS has continued its commitment to supporting vulnerable families in Rwanda, working across key areas such as health, nutrition, agriculture, food security, and youth entrepreneurship and development. Through these efforts, CRS aims to empower and bring hope to those affected by the tragic events of the Rwandan massacre.
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Hurricane Maria relief
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official overseas relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is a non-profit organisation that provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in over 100 countries, regardless of race, religion, or nationality.
CRS has a long history of aiding those affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes. In 2017, the organisation responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm that ravaged several Caribbean islands, resulting in the loss of over 3,000 lives and causing approximately $91 billion in damage.
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria, CRS, in collaboration with its Caritas partners, distributed essential supplies to families in need. They provided 7,000 food and hygiene kits to Cuba and more than 1,700 kits to the Dominican Republic. As the U.S. Catholic Church's international humanitarian agency, CRS concentrated its relief efforts on the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and the Antilles.
The organisation's response to Hurricane Maria was not an isolated incident. CRS has a history of providing aid to those affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters. For example, after Hurricane Helene, Catholic Charities agencies provided immediate disaster relief, including water, food, and shelter, and remained committed to assisting communities in their long-term recovery.
CRS's commitment to helping those affected by hurricanes extends beyond providing immediate relief. The organisation also focuses on long-term development and recovery support. They work closely with local communities and partner organisations to help rebuild lives and restore hope in devastated areas.
In conclusion, Catholic Relief Services has played a crucial role in providing relief and assistance to communities affected by Hurricane Maria. Their efforts, guided by their values of compassion and solidarity, have helped address the immediate needs and supported the long-term recovery of those impacted by this devastating storm.
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Afghanistan and Pakistan offices
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been working in Pakistan since 1954, focusing on disaster response and preparedness, education, water and sanitation, and livelihoods assistance for vulnerable communities. With more than 50 years of experience in the country, CRS has been one of the first responders to large-scale disasters, including the 2005 earthquake that killed an estimated 73,000 people and left nearly 3 million homeless. In response to this earthquake, CRS provided emergency supplies, shelter, education, water, and sanitation materials, and livelihood support to over 166,000 people. Their efforts were recognised by the Pakistani government, which awarded them the prestigious Sitara-i-Eisaar (Star of Sacrifice) in 2006.
CRS has also been active in improving access to quality education in Pakistan, particularly in rural communities in the north of the country. Since 2005, they have built 114 school structures, trained nearly 800 teachers, and improved hygiene practices for 6,688 students. As a result, enrollment has increased by 40% and attendance by 39% in these communities. Additionally, CRS has supported over 1 million people across Pakistan in relief, response, and recovery efforts, providing transitional shelters, household kits, agricultural livelihood assistance, and access to clean water and sanitation.
In 2018, CRS lost its license to operate in Pakistan when the Pakistani government revoked the licenses of thousands of non-governmental organisations, allegedly to prevent terrorist organisations from receiving funding. However, in January 2022, CRS received approval for re-registration and is now implementing emergency response programs, as well as multi-year education and resilient livelihood initiatives.
CRS has also provided assistance to Afghanistan, particularly in response to the refugee crisis caused by the fall of the Taliban. They sent clothing, food, and bedding to returning refugees and internally displaced persons, and provided school supplies for children. Near the western Afghanistan border, CRS provided a basic literacy program for both Afghan refugee children and children from the Pakistani host community.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Relief Services was founded during World War II in 1947 as War Relief Services to help migrants and refugees.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It aims to ease suffering and provide assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.
Catholic Relief Services provides food, access to clean water, and other essential needs. It also empowers communities and acts as a voice for the voiceless.
