Caritas Kosovo

Caritas Kosovo
Caritas Kosova
Established1992[1]
TypeNonprofit
Legal statusAssociation
Location
Coordinates42°21′58″N 21°09′35″E / 42.3661°N 21.1597°E / 42.3661; 21.1597
OriginsCatholic Social Teaching
Region served
Kosovo
Fieldssocial work, humanitarian relief
President
Dodë Gjergji
AffiliationsCaritas Europa, Caritas Internationalis[2]
Budget (2021)
€4,413,969[3]
Staff (2017)
800[1]
Volunteers (2017)
400[1]
Websitewww.caritaskosova.org/en
Formerly called
Kosovar Catholic Church Caritas[4]

Caritas Kosovo (Albanian: Caritas Kosova) is a Kosovar Catholic not-for-profit organisation. It is a member of both Caritas Europa and Caritas Internationalis.

Background

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Caritas Kosova was founded in 1992 as a Catholic initiative to support the local population experiencing rampant poverty, primarily through the distribution of humanitarian aid. At the time, it was not officially registered as an NGO.[5] After the Kosovo War (1998–1999), various agencies from the global Caritas confederation became active in the country. Caritas Kosova then developed as an emergency relief actor, receiving funding and technical support from Caritas agencies in Caritas Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the United States, and other countries. [6][7][5]

Over the years, Caritas Kosova expanded its presence across the country and broadened its range of activities. As of 2024, the organisation has its headquarters in Ferizaj, with regional offices in Pristina, Prizren, Gjakova, Mitrovica, and Leposavić, while implementing activities in numerous other cities and villages. Despite being a Catholic organisation, Caritas Kosova works with various communities in the country without ethnic or religious discrimination.[8] It is one of the few organisations active in both Albanian and Serbian-dominated parts of Kosovo,[9][10][11] as well as with other minorities such as Roma, Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians.[12]

In the immediate aftermath of the Kosovo war, multiple other member organisations of the Caritas Internationalis confederation operated in Kosovo,[13] often supporting Caritas Kosovo. At the height of the emergency response, the American Catholic Relief Services had more than 400 staff in Kosovo.[14] As of 2024, Caritas Switzerland still operates in Kosovo with its own office and staff, which has led to disputes with Caritas Kosovo.[15][16]

Work

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Caritas Kosovo started as a humanitarian relief agency involved in distributions and other activities,[17] then worked with internally displaced persons and returnees after the war.[18] Over time, it expanded its sectors of work to become a social service provider. The organisation has signed cooperation agreements with various regional and State authorities, including different municipality and ministries such as the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the University of Gjakova.[19][20][21]

Since the end of the Kosovo War, Caritas Kosova has been active in diverse sectors such as psychosocial support and mental health,[10] labour market integration,[22] rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration of prisoners,[23] support to persons with disability, social assistance for families living in extreme poverty,[24] and childcare[25] An important sector of work is that of healthcare and home care.[21][26][27]

Photos

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Haradinaj pledges cooperation with Caritas". Koha Ditore. 21 October 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Caritas Kosova". developmentaid.org. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Annual Report 2021". caritaskosova.org. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Project Funding List 2015" (PDF). European Parliament. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b "History of Caritas Kosova". caritaskosova.org. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  6. ^ "CARITAS information on activities in Kosovo | EU DONOR CONFERENCE, Brussels, 28 July 1999". ReliefWeb. 19 August 1999. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  7. ^ "About Caritas Kosovo". caritas.eu. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Le Secours catholique accueille un représentant de Caritas". La Montagne (in French). 11 June 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Caritas Kosova". Kosovo Funding Portal. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Monitoring visit to Caritas Kosova within the project "Strengthening resilience of older persons and persons with disabilities during COVID-19 and future crises"". Red Cross of Serbia. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Komuna e Prizrenit dhe "Caritas"-i vazhdojnë bashkëpunimin". rtvmitrovica.com (in Albanian). 23 September 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  12. ^ Emmanuelle Dethomas (12 March 2008). "Kosovo - L'enjeu de l'indépendance". ReliefWeb (in French). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  13. ^ "10'000 personnes prises en charge sur 28 sites". cath.ch (in French). 12 April 1999. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  14. ^ "CRS in Kosovo". crs.org. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  15. ^ ""Caritas Kosova" e vetmja organizatë që njihet nga Kisha Katolike në Kosovë: Marrëveshja e Ministrisë me Caritasin zviceran shkelje flagrante". Ekonomia Online (in Albanian). 2 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  16. ^ ""Caritas Kosova" | Marrëveshja e MPJD-së dhe MZHR-së ka qenë me Caritasin zviceran, që operon pa miratimin e Kishës". Demokracia (in Albanian). 2 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Refugees in Kosovo Updated July 2001". ReliefWeb. 13 July 2001. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Macedonia, un Paese in bilico". vita.it (in Italian). 10 July 2001. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Rector Nimani signed a memorandum of understanding with Caritas Kosova". University of Gjakova (in Albanian). 16 February 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Po vazhdon bashkëpunimi mes Komunës së Suharekës dhe CARITAS KOSOVA". suharekaonline.com (in Albanian). 24 September 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  21. ^ a b "MPMS nënshkruan marrëveshje me Komunën e Istogët dhe Caritas Kosova". Ekonomia (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Në Klinë do të fillojë realizimi i projektit "Praxis" nga Caritas Kosova". klina.info (in Albanian). 24 September 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  23. ^ "I burgosuri hap ekspozitë në Prishtinë". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). 16 December 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  24. ^ "AnnualReport 2019" (PDF). caritaskosova.org. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Marrëveshja e komunës me "Caritas Kosova" parasheh punësimin e 22 personave". ferizajpress.com (in Albanian). 22 October 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  26. ^ "In the absence of doctors, two municipalities contract health services". Koha Ditore. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Shënohet 'Dita Ndërkombëtare e Bamirësisë'". Radio K4 (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 June 2024.
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