Caritas India, (registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI 1860; the Punjab Amendment Act 1957) was founded in 1962. The word Caritas originates from Latin, which means, Love in Action. It is a Pan-Indian organization with over 325 projects and programs and a member of the Caritas confederation of more than 160-member organizations working in nearly 200 countries, making it the second largest humanitarian network in the world.

Propelled by the commitment to preserve the dignity and sacredness of human personality, Caritas India serves the underprivileged sections of the society, hailing from socially excluded communities, the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes by exercising preferential actions for the most marginalized. Resultantly, with a large spectrum of development interventions across the country, Caritas India is recognized as a leading NGO in poverty alleviation through Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Natural Resource Management.

The present interventions are in the areas of livelihood security, climate change adaptation through natural resource management and sustainable agricultural practices, disaster risk reduction and emergency response, good governance through political participation, anti-human trafficking, peace-building and health care with a focus on HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.

Caritas India plays a vital support and facilitation role working with her partners and reference communities at the grassroots facing poverty, deprivation, marginalization and exclusion, capacitating them to improve their livelihood option, increase organic agriculture practices, provide better their health status and rebuild their lives facing natural disasters.  It is actively engaged at the time of floods and other emergencies by providing them help with cash, water and sanitation kits, Food items, shelter kits etc. Child protection and school support programs are expanded. Linkages between the Government schemes and tribal communities are strengthened to improve the quality of life of the villagers.

Why Caritas India?

The organization, working since 1962 has collaborated with many international organizations, having one of the largest humanitarian aid networks in the world. It has the highest reach in terms of any emergency and reaching to the hinterlands. It has 250-credible network partners working in different parts of the country, having experience and expertise in efficiently and effectively managing small and large level development and emergency initiatives.

Special Features of the Organization

• Caritas is a well-networked organizations in the country.
• They are part of a global network working in more than 200 countries.
• It is a national organization with the highest outreach.
• They have expertise in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Livelihood and Skill Development, Anti Human Trafficking and Migration, Health and Nutrition, Peace Building.
• They have successfully implemented many reputed programs supported by EU ECHO many foreign government and CSR donors.
• It has won the “Millennis the recipentreceived the prestigious Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vanshree Award for its Center for Environmental Studies in Social Sector (CESSS). During the Global Tiger Day function, Caritas India was awarded for its efforts in promoting Green Mission by planting 4000 trees in the CESSS land during the past 5 years.
• It has wonthe best performing NGO award during the Uttarakhand floods in June 2013.
• The Community Based Rehabilitation of Families Living with HIV/AIDS program of Caritas has been awarded as the most promising program of the year award.