History & Legacy

1975 – In 1975, Caritas India underwent major reforms with its Memorandum of Association and Rules revised for the first time. The Project Selection Committee held its first meeting to streamline approvals for relief and small projects. The Appointment Committee introduced structured pay scales and service conditions for the first time.

1977 – In November 1977, two tropical cyclones devastated Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, affecting over 4.1 million people. Caritas India responded immediately, providing relief and reconstruction aid for 1 million people. Support included food, shelter, healthcare, and livelihood restoration. Entire washed-away settlements were rebuilt, including homes, agriculture, and self-employment initiatives.

1978

• Caritas India has approved the establishment of an Emergency Cell to strengthen disaster preparedness, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. The decision was made during the 16th Governing Body Meeting, with a budget allocated for administrative expenses.
• In 1978, Caritas India responded to severe floods and cyclones in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It provided food, clothing, medical aid, and housing support to affected communities. Donor agencies were approached for relief and rehabilitation assistance. Efforts focused on rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods in multiple dioceses.

1984 – Caritas India swiftly responded to the Delhi riots and the Bhopal gas tragedy, providing essential aid to affected communities. Support extended to flood, fire, and other disaster victims through relief efforts. It also focused on long-term development through animation programs and projects.

In January 1983, CBCI changed the rules of Caritas India to include more laypeople and women. These changes helped Caritas India work more for justice, peace, and education. A new rule allowed it to take part directly in local and regional development.

Caritas appointed a full-time development worker to support women, Harijans, and tribals. The role focused on promoting equal job opportunities, fair wages, and awareness. Efforts were made to integrate women’s empowerment into projects. Active participation in decision-making was also encouraged.

1996- Caritas India responded swiftly to the Andhra Pradesh cyclone of 1996, providing immediate relief, including safe drinking water and food for 30 days. Volunteers played a crucial role in helping victims rebuild their lives.

1999 –

• Caritas India, in partnership with other organizations, launched a large-scale relief effort for the Orissa Super Cyclone, reaching 53 blocks in 12 districts. Over 314,797 families received immediate aid, including food, water, shelter, and medical support. Volunteers distributed 30,000 family kits and led sanitation drives to improve well-being in affected areas.
• Caritas India actively supported rehabilitation after the Chamoli earthquake by constructing 100 houses with community participation. In response to the Andhra Pradesh cyclone, 1000 houses were built in the first phase, followed by 263 in the second, and 128 in the final phase.
• Under the decentralization scheme (2000-2001), Caritas India partnered with NGOs and CBOs to extend support to remote rural communities. This initiative empowered dioceses to address health, education, and economic needs through micro-interventions. Self-help groups were also formed to promote community development.

2001 – Caritas India responded to the 2001 Gujarat earthquake by providing shelters to 6,000 families and relief to 38,763 families across 225 villages. Partnering with the Kutch District Administration and the EU, 3,115 safe houses, schools, and sanitation facilities were built in 14 villages. Livelihood programs, education centers, and 89 Self-Help Groups were initiated to support long-term recovery.

2001 – After the Odisha Super Cyclone, Caritas India helped 13,922 families in 199 villages by rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and supporting communities. They provided food to over 928,000 people and family kits to 241,685 individuals. A total of 1,624 cyclone-resistant houses were built in different areas. Additionally, 12,130 families received support for income-generating activities to rebuild their lives.

West Bengal Flood Response – Caritas India, in collaboration with CRS-West Bengal Regional Forum, provided immediate relief to 30,250 flood-affected families across nine districts. Assistance included food, clothing, utensils, and shelter materials. Additionally, 770 houses were built, livelihood support was extended to 1,500 families, and 600 individuals received cycle carts for economic recovery.

2002 – Caritas India marked 40 years of service to the poor and marginalized with a grand ruby jubilee celebration on October 9 in New Delhi. A special radio jingle in English and 10 Indian languages was broadcast across eight cities to commemorate the milestone.

2002 – Caritas India embraced a proactive approach to disaster management through Community-Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP), shifting from relief-focused efforts to community-led resilience.

2003 – On November 25, 2003, Caritas India took a significant step in environmental advocacy by establishing the Centre for Environmental Studies for Social Sector (CESSS).

2004 – The Tsunami devastated Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, affecting millions. Caritas India reached 90,000 households with relief, built 15,553 disaster-resilient homes, and restored livelihoods for thousands, particularly fisherfolk and marginalized groups. Sectoral support included food aid, health camps for 17,810 people, psychosocial support for 3,896 survivors, and skill development programs.

2005 – In response to the devastating 7.6-magnitude earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir, Caritas India, in partnership with CRS, CAFOD, and CSSS, provided urgent relief. The intervention supported 16,500 people with food and essentials, 2,657 families with temporary shelters, and 1,200 families with winterized tents. Additionally, health services reached over 5,500 people, ensuring critical care and recovery for affected communities.

2010 – Caritas India became the Principal Recipient-2 for the INTENSIFIED MALARIA CONTROL PROJECT-II (GFATM ROUND 9) of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The collective endeavours of the civil society under the leadership of Caritas India complement the ongoing efforts of the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP, GoI). As part of this program Caritas India trained 10,333 CHV & ASHAs are with the support of State and District VBDCPs.

2010 – Caritas India entered into a tripartite agreement with the State Health Society-Bihar Government and National Health Systems Resource Centre-Government of India on 15 September 2011 as the State Training Agency for Bihar health department for training of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Trainers in 10 districts of Bihar under the Central Government’s flagship programme of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). The project was for 15 months wherein Caritas India worked in collaboration with the ASHA Resource Centre- Bihar. In addition to training the trainers, Caritas India also facilitates the district-level training agencies in organising training of the NRHM frontline workers.

2011 – Caritas India implemented the Link Worker Scheme project in coordination with the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS)to reach out to the target groups from the 12 districts of Gujarat for the prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS to reach out to the high-risk and vulnerable population in the rural areas with information, knowledge and skills on STI/HIV prevention and risk reduction. We were able to reach 775 villages across 78 blocks in 8 districts of Gujarat touching the lives of vulnerable populations in terms of creating linkages with health services and peer support systems.

2013 – In April 2013, Caritas India’s Governing Board approved the 3 new Policies for Caritas India – Social Development Policy, Social Inclusion Policy and Local Resource Mobilisation Policy.

2014 – In March 2014, Caritas India launched the ‘Ashakiranam’ Cancer Care Campaign as a pilot program in Ernakulam to combat the rising incidence of cancer. The campaign emphasizes early detection through awareness-building and community engagement, aiming to reduce mortality by up to 50% by promoting timely diagnosis and access to cancer care services.

2020- Caritas India launched its first-ever nationwide humanitarian response, covering 28 states and Union Territories, reaching 954,195 people during the year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive intervention provided healthcare, food and nutrition, mental health and psychosocial support, education and livelihood assistance, and community engagement, ensuring critical relief and long-term recovery across the country.

2020 – Caritas India launched CIDAL (Caritas Institute of Development, Action and Learning) as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building. Developed in response to COVID-19 challenges, CIDAL supports partners by providing tailored learning opportunities, enhancing partnership management, and fostering innovative solutions to address emerging social and humanitarian needs.

2021 – National Conference on Community Mobilisation Held at the Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, on November 10-11, 2021, Caritas India released a handbook on community mobilization, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and effective governance.

2022 – Caritas India has marked an iconic milestone with its Diamond Jubilee on the 1st of October 2022. host of programmes organised at regional and state level to commemorate the diamond jubilee celebrations with the local communities through all cluster programmes

2022 – The coffee table book titled “Courageously Innovative: Catholic Church @ Covid-19” showcases the exemplary contribution of the different institutions and organizations of the Catholic Church during COVID-19 was released by Cardinal Oswald Gracias the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on November 9, 2022. This report was also presented to His Holiness Pope Francis.

2022- Caritas India launched the Sajeevam Anti-Drug Campaign in Kerala addresses rising drug abuse among youth. Partnering with KCBC, KSSF, and 32 DSSS, it focuses on awareness, preventive education, and early intervention through specialized counseling training, reaching over 2.2 million people to build community resilience and support.

2023 – In January 2023, Caritas India’s Khushaal Bachpan program launched to improve the quality of childhood in India by focusing on child rights, education, health, and protection. Operating across Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, it engages children and communities to raise awareness about child rights and empower them to demand their entitlements.