CAFOD
@cafod.bsky.social
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We are CAFOD, the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. A better world needs all of us.
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In a recent interview, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem spoke about his hopes for peace and reiterated how there is still much to do in the early days of the Gaza ceasefire.

See more about our Middle East Humanitarian Appeal. ⤵️

https://cafod.org.uk/give/donate-to-emergencies/gaza-crisis-appeal
A photo of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa with a quote.

It says:

"There is still much to do. The situation remains dramatic because everything is destroyed. People are returning, but they are returning to the ruins. Hospitals are not functioning; schools do not exist."
Our Director Christine Allen was on the Causes Show podcast to discuss all things related to leadership in the humanitarian sector.

She shared insights on how we operate and current challenges. Listen to the full episode. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/4nVUflP
Christine Allen, Executive Director, CAFOD
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
They shared their lived experience of continually serving communities in Gaza and the West Bank throughout the conflict with lifesaving support, their reflections on the latest developments in occupied Palestinian territory, and their hopes for the future.
Anton Asfar, Director of Caritas Jerusalem, and Fr Elias Tabban, of Zababdeh Parish in the West Bank had an engaging session with parliamentarians yesterday.
Our local partners have been working in Gaza in extremely difficult conditions over the past two years.

With a huge increase of aid now needed, your support can make a huge difference.

Please donate to the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal today. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/3IWUldJ
A photo of a mother and child in the rubble of a destroyed building. Also featured are the DEC logos and text in red saying "Please help today."
The International Day of Rural Women emphasises the vital role played by rural women in food production and as environmental stewards.

Waré in Ethiopia is a farmer and was at the centre of our Harvest story on account of her determination. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/46HNdcW
A photo of Waré holding a water container with a quote.

"Rather than die sitting, I will stand fighting."
It's the International Day of Rural Women.

With the support of CPL Aromas, our partner the Archdiocese of Gulu is supporting around 120 female farmers and 80 young people in northern Uganda to farm sustainably, improve their agricultural yields and adapt to climate change.
A woman sat on a plastic chair underneath a canopy of trees. A woman stood in a grassy field with cows behind her. A woman crouched down working on okra plants in a field.
Our local partners have been working in Gaza throughout the crisis and continue to do so.

Within the last few days, our Church partner Caritas Jerusalem has delivered 10,000 cans of baby formula to families with newborns and young children.

https://bit.ly/3IWUldJ
Caritas Jerusalem staff members moving supplies. A group of children sat near to a Carita Jerusalem staff member. Staff members loading a van with supplies. One Caritas Jerusalem staff member speaks to a woman while another looks at paperwork.
The new global debt crisis has poor and climate-vulnerable countries spending more to repay debts than they receive in climate finance.

Learn more about new research findings. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/47nmi7C

#CancelDebtChooseHope
Poor nations pay more on debt interest than they get for climate aid
The world’s least developed countries paid US $37 billion (£28bn) to service their debts in 2023, but received only $32 billion (£24bn) in climate finance
www.independent.co.uk
Reposted by CAFOD
South Africa’s #G20 presidency has the potential to catalyse meaningful global #debt reform, but so far nothing tangible has been achieved.
1️⃣6️⃣5️⃣ organisations have called on @cyrilramaphosabsky.bsky.social to take action on the #debtcrisis.
Read the call here➡️ www.eurodad.org/letter_to_sa...
While this year's G20 has been put forward as an 'African G20', there is no evidence that any progress has been made on the debt crisis facing Africa and many other countries worldwide.
During #Jubilee2025, we're campaigning on debt justice as repayments have led to cuts in health and education in multiple countries.

More about new research on the IMF's role and the leading economists calling for action. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/42DzHpH

#CancelDebtChooseHope
Urgent calls for debt relief as study shows health and education cuts in developing world
Influential economists want replenishment of funds and new ways to define countries in need before this week’s IMF and World Bank meetings
www.theguardian.com
#COP30 will begin on 10 November in Brazil.

We caught up Bareesh Chowdhury from our Bangladesh partner BELA who told us how climate change affects communities he works with, his experiences of past COPs and his objectives for these milestone talks.

https://bit.ly/46Rig7D
COP30 in a Jubilee year: our partner's voice
cafod.org.uk
Today's the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and climate disasters are a serious threat in Afghanistan.

We worked with partners to build structures like this irrigation canal that can divert flood water, while also keeping trees alive and improving air quality.
Photos showing an irrigation canal in Afghanistan. Photos showing an irrigation canal in Afghanistan. Photos showing an irrigation canal in Afghanistan. Photos showing an irrigation canal in Afghanistan.
In the newly-published Dilexi te, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that love and care for our neighbour and those who are poor and marginalised is a fundamental part of our faith and the Church's social teaching.

The key messages in his first Apostolic Exhortation.

https://bit.ly/3KJRjdc
A photo of Pope Leo XIV with a quote from Dilexi te. 

"I have chosen to recall the age-old history of the Church’s care for the poor and with the poor in order to make clear that it has always been a central part of her life. Indeed, caring for the poor is part of the Church’s great Tradition, a beacon as it were of evangelical light to illumine the hearts and guide the decisions of Christians in every age."
In Lima, Peru, partner Huasi Warmi works with vulnerable girls and young women in urban areas to learn about rights and wellbeing through art, reading, and life planning.

Additionally, the girls are raising their voices against violence.

#InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild
A photo showing a girl painting a mural on a wall. Two girls painting a mural on a wall featuring a large book.
Dilexi te was released yesterday and it's a powerful critique of the economic systems that cause poverty.

Started by Pope Francis, Pope Leo finished it and describes the importance of putting the needs of the marginalised first. Find out more. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/3KJRjdc
A photo of Pope Leo with text saying "Dilexi Te has been published and it's Pope Leo's first papal document." A photo of Pope Leo sat down with a quote from Dilexi te:

“I am convinced that the preferential choice for the poor is a source of extraordinary
renewal both for the Church and for society, if we can only set ourselves free of our self-
centeredness and open our ears to their cry.”
It focuses on love for the poor and how it’s integral to faith.

The love of Christ can be seen in:  
-love for the poor, 
- Opposing slavery, 
- Defending women who experience exclusion and violence
 - Charitable giving and working for equality - Read the FAQs on our website
- Pray with us
- Donate to our work
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire has come into effect.

Learn more about what has been agreed, what we're doing and how our local partners have reacted. ⤵️

https://cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/gaza-ceasefire
Gaza ceasefire: what you need to know
cafod.org.uk
Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and providing mental health support in Ukraine is an important priority. 88% of households have at least one family member with mental health needs. Work includes:

- Counselling
- Stress management
- Mobile psychologists
- Children’s Activities
A photo of a woman holding up a craft rabbit that she made at workshop. A woman and child doing art activities at a workshop. A woman drawing on large pieces of paper. A woman painting on a large piece of paper at a workshop.
Bishop Richard Moth reacted to Pope Leo XIV's Dilexi te which was released today and identified the importance of Catholic social teaching underpinning its messaging about the preferential option for the poor.

Read more. ⤵️

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bishop-richard-moth-welcomes-dilexi-te/
A photo and quote from Bishop Richard Moth: 

I echo Pope Leo when he writes: "Charity has the power to change reality; it is a genuine force for change in history.’ Catholic charities, such as CAFOD and those under the umbrella of the Caritas Social Action Network in England and Wales, have long exercised a preferential option for the poor.
Pope Leo's first papal document, Dilexi te is out now. 📖

What does it say?
What's an Apostolic Exhortation?
How does it link back to Pope Francis?
What is the preferential option for the poor?

The answers to these questions and more. ⤵️

https://cafod.org.uk/pray/dilexi-te-explained
Dilexi te explained: What is Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation?
CAFOD answers your questions on Pope Leo's apostolic exhortation Dilexi te and the important messages it contains for the world today.
cafod.org.uk
Dilexi te from Pope Leo XIV is now available.

The title means "I have loved you” and this work is the first Apostolic Exhortation from our current Pope.

Following on from the work of Pope Francis, it reflects on love for the poor and the importance of taking action.
A quote graphic from Pope Leo XIV.

"For us Christians, the problem of the poor leads to the very heart of our faith. … or Christians, the poor are not a sociological category, but the very “flesh” of Christ." A quote graphic from Pope Leo XIV.

It reads: 

"I am convinced that the preferential choice for the poor is a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society, if we can only set ourselves free of our self-centeredness and open our ears to their cry. A quote graphic from Pope Leo XIV.

It reads: "The condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church. On the wounded faces of the poor, we see the suffering of the innocent and, therefore, the suffering of Christ himself."
Our local partner Caritas Jerusalem have issued a statement welcoming news that an agreement has been reached in the first phase of the Gaza peace deal.

We are waiting alongside them to learn more about the details regarding humanitarian aid access.

https://bit.ly/3KFoBu4

A graphic featuring an image of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza in the background.

"Caritas Jerusalem Statement

We welcome this announcement with gratitude and hope. We are awaiting details on the opening of all humanitarian corridors for aid delivery, and we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand beside the people of Gaza as they begin the long journey of healing, recovery and rebuilding."
"At the same time, I urge everyone to remain united in prayer, so that the ongoing efforts may put an end to the war and lead us towards a just and lasting peace.”