Rome: In a heartfelt response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Caritas Italy, a leading Catholic charitable organization, has launched a €260,000 (approx. ₹2.62 crore) aid project aimed at providing immediate relief and long-term support to those caught in the crossfire of ongoing conflict.
The relief initiative comes in the wake of Pope Leo XIV’s urgent appeal and calls from several international and Catholic agencies to extend compassion and concrete help to the suffering people of Gaza. As violence and destruction continue to devastate the region, Caritas has outlined a multi-phase plan to assist civilians in both Gaza and the West Bank, focusing on both emergency needs and sustainable rehabilitation.
According to the organization, the aid plan is structured around three key pillars. The first phase targets the socio-economic rehabilitation of individuals and families in the West Bank who have lost livelihoods due to the conflict. Through empowerment programs and job-oriented support, Caritas aims to restore a sense of dignity and economic security to those displaced by war.
The second phase focuses on urgent humanitarian relief for refugees sheltering in the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic parish still functioning in Gaza. Following the recent attack on the church compound, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has already dispatched emergency supplies, and Caritas will continue this effort by ensuring that the displaced receive food, medical aid, and basic necessities.
The third phase of the initiative turns toward the future, aiming to foster peacebuilding through education. Caritas Italy will support training and dialogue initiatives in academic institutions, focusing on Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. By nurturing platforms for dialogue, the charity hopes to break the cycle of violence and build a foundation for enduring peace.
Caritas emphasized that this mission is not merely about immediate aid, but also about sowing seeds for dialogue and peace. “Our aim is to not only support those in urgent need but also to contribute meaningfully to a long-term vision where dialogue replaces division,” the organization stated.
In a land where suffering is deepening by the day, Caritas Italy’s plan stands as a sign of solidarity, hope, and moral responsibility, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to walking with the vulnerable even in the darkest of times.