Together for the Glory of God

Since its foundation 36 years ago, Caritas Lebanon remains the hope in the heart of misery, the light in the dark nights of the ones who suffer.

Moved by love and goodwill, Caritas Lebanon assists all the people who experience difficult living conditions or carry the burden of sickness and poverty. It offers assistance, love and countless efforts to relieve the dearest human beings to the Lord! In its daily work, it only refers to the Church's and the Gospel's teaching.

How can we contribute to the recovery of a nation when most of its population is hungry, thirsty and do not benefit from any medical insurance?

In 1972, the Jesuit Brother Elie Maamari founded Caritas South Lebanon in cooperation with this region's bishops. It became Caritas Lebanon on September 9th, 1976.
In 1981, the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon approved Caritas Lebanon's status and designated it as the official socio-pastoral arm of the Church to assist both individuals and communities and to support charitable and social activities.
Caritas Lebanon is a member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, counting 165 country Caritas organizations working in 200 different countries.

Vision
Based on the values of the Gospel, Caritas Lebanon aspires to build a society that respects human dignity. It aims at:
- Attaining  a wider social justice.
- Promoting a national network of solidarity with the objective of reducing poverty and exclusion.
- Improving the development of individuals and communities, allowing them to take care of themselves.

Mission
Caritas Lebanon mission is to enhance solidarity in order to promote and develop the human being without any discrimination. It commits itself to:
- Assist people in need.
- Revive the sense of responsibility in order to attain a larger solidarity in the relations between various social groups.
- Involve the citizens in Caritas activities under the social responsibility concept, making them partners and not only beneficiaries.
- Help to integrate the individual activity into a community and collective approach with the aim of reaching sustainable development.
- Strengthen the collaboration with local and international NGO's in order to promote efficient partnerships.
- Perform its activities with professionalism and transparency.

Human dignity
Throughout its various missions, Caritas Lebanon attempts to restore human dignity by lending a hand to any needy person regardless of race, gender or creed. Caritas Lebanon fights against any social exclusion or discrimination.

Priority to the poor
“For I was hungry, you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink…” Caritas Lebanon responds to Christ's call to serve all disadvantaged people.

Fostering self-reliance
While responding to emergency needs, Caritas Lebanon works on building individual capacities and developing communities by engaging them in the elaboration and execution of projects which enable them to become self-reliant and autonomous partners.

Solidarity
Caritas Lebanon aims at awakening the entire population to solidarity and sharing with others, encouraging them to be involved in the construction of a society where social justice reigns.

Transparency
Aware of its responsibility towards the Church, donors and poor people, Caritas Lebanon guarantees full transparency in the management of all financial resources and matters.

Cooperation
Caritas Lebanon works in close collaboration with the Caritas network as well as other national and international organizations. These partnerships can take the form of:
- Financial assistance
- Sponsored projects
- Exchange of experience and information
- Discussion forums

Caritas Lebanon also cooperates with the Lebanese Government and the Ministries of Social Affairs, Public Health, Education, Agriculture, interior, etc.