| Caritas Congo | |
| Established: | 1960 |
| Type: | Nonprofit |
| Status: | Association sans but lucratif ("non-profit association") |
| Focus: | --> |
| Headquarters: | 26 avenue Basoko Gombe |
| Location City: | Kinshasa |
| Location Country: | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Coordinates: | -4.3089°N 15.3243°W |
| Origins: | Catholic Social Teaching |
| Region Served: | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Fields: | development aid, humanitarian aid, education, health |
| Owners: | --> |
| Sec Gen: | Edouard Makimba Milambo |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Mgr Dieudonné Uringi |
| Parent Organisation: | --> |
| Affiliations: | Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Africa |
| Revenue: | USD 20,3 million[1] |
| Revenue Year: | 2023 |
| Staff: | 62 (national secretariat) |
| Staff Year: | 2023 |
Caritas Congo is a nonprofit organisation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the official aid organisation of the Congolese Catholic Church with a presence all over the country.
The organisation is a member of the global Caritas Internationalis confederation and of the regional Caritas Africa.[2]
Caritas Congo was founded in 1960 by the Congolese Bishops Conference (CENCO) with the mission to improving the lives of individuals and communities as a whole, according to the social doctrine of the Church. The organisation was registered in 1964 and restructured in 1993.[2] [3] [4]
Caritas Congo consists as the national office, the Secrétariat exécutif ("Executive Secretariat"), and acts as a federation of 48 diocesan offices spread throughout the country. These organisations are called Caritas-Développement diocésaines ("Diocesan Caritas Development"). The 48 diocesan offices are divided into around 1,500 parish Caritas and more than 10,000 local units (cellules, "cells").[1]
Caritas Congo is active in emergency relief while also providing medical services and implementing community development projects. In a context in which The DRC is sometimes described as a failed state, Caritas Congo provides more than 41% of all education services in the country.[5] [6]
The Executive Secretariat coordinates the work of all 48 diocesan Caritas organisations and represents them. It is also responsible for capacity strengthening and advocacy.[1]
In 2023, Caritas Congo supported 2,5 million persons with a budget of 20.3 million US dollars. The main areas of activity were prevention and emergency response projects, health promotion projects and projects promoting sustainable development.[1]