On September 14, Caritas announced that it was ending its international activities. But since this date, employees in this sector are still uncertain about their future in the association.
“We are the forgotten ones of Caritas,” confided an employee of the international sector in our columns on October 2. Faced with the concerns of employees of the international branch of Caritas, MP Joelle Welfring (déi gréng) wanted to question the government on the future of Caritas employees but also on humanitarian projects, partly financed by the State. The Minister of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Xavier Bettel, and the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, jointly answered all the questions.
Both confirm first of all that “discussions are underway not only between the Caritas Luxembourg Foundation and the international Caritas network, but also between the Directorate of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action and other organizations in the Luxembourg and abroad to resume certain activities previously carried out internationally by the Caritas Luxembourg Foundation. Discussions are also underway between the development agency LuxDev and local partners of the Caritas Luxembourg Foundation, for the resumption of certain activities.
Projects could be taken over by local partners
Currently, out of all Caritas projects, six will end as planned with a reduced budget (three are already closed). Five will be taken over by the Caritas network and twelve projects are being studied for direct funding by the ministry via local NGOs. Despite this, Xavier Bettel and Luc Frieden point out that this situation remains “evolving”.
“The Directorate of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action strives to analyze the projects and programs most at risk in order to provide recovery solutions or to mitigate the consequences of an early termination of programs and projects, depending on existing resources and constraints. In cases where no solution can be found, programs and projects will cease to produce their effects. » They also specify that “discussions are underway between the ministry and Cordaid for a new phase of financing the three medical centers in South Sudan until January 2026”. Concerning the projects in Laos, the ministry is studying the possibilities of them being taken up by other Luxembourg NGOs.
Behind these projects, there is also the question of beneficiaries. “It is difficult to give an exact figure, given that some projects have been partially resumed, others are still under study and some are awaiting a count and a narrative report so that we can determine the affected beneficiaries,” respond the ministers.
Finally, if the new Caritas entity were to launch into the international sector, the ministry does not say it is unfavorable to this idea.
