Caritas Nigeria reaches 700,000 households with relief services
Caritas Nigeria, the humanitarian and development arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), said it has reached more than 700,000 households through emergency response and humanitarian services since its establishment 15 years ago. The organisation, founded in 2010, marked its 15th anniversary in Abuja with a renewed commitment to promoting human dignity, safeguarding […]
Caritas Nigeria, the humanitarian and development arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), said it has reached more than 700,000 households through emergency response and humanitarian services since its establishment 15 years ago.
The organisation, founded in 2010, marked its 15th anniversary in Abuja with a renewed commitment to promoting human dignity, safeguarding the vulnerable, and building sustainable development across Nigeria.
Speaking at the celebration, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Caritas Nigeria, Rev. Fr Peter Audu, said the milestone reflects “the power of collective action and compassion,” adding that the organisation has managed 117 humanitarian and development projects, impacting over 18 million beneficiaries nationwide.
The organisation highlighted its role in health system strengthening, noting partnerships with the Nigerian government, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other agencies in delivering HIV/TB treatments and counselling services to more than 37,000 people.
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Beyond health, the organisation has prioritized the protection of migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable children, embedding safeguarding measures into all its programmes.
The anniversary, held under the theme Sustainability in the Face of the Changing Funding Landscape, also highlighted the challenges posed by shrinking donor resources and rising competition for grants.
Audu said the new realities call for innovation, resilience, and accountability.
Outlining its sustainability agenda, the organisation stressed three priorities: diversifying resources through partnerships with private sector actors and local philanthropists, strengthening institutional capacity to ensure transparency and efficiency, and empowering communities for self-reliance so that beneficiaries can thrive beyond external aid.
“As long as challenges persist, we shall continue to double our efforts to fulfil our God-given mandate,” he said.
Caritas Nigeria pledged to expand humanitarian outreach in hard-to-reach communities, deepen partnerships, and strengthen digital systems for accountability.
The Executive Secretary said the future programmes will focus on skill acquisition for youths, empowerment of widows and persons with disabilities, and the “Every Child in School” campaign, designed to drive inclusive development through homegrown solutions.
At the panel session, discussants called on relief agencies, charity organizations, and NGOs to rethink their operations amid shrinking donor support and the rise of right-wing and nationalist movements in donor countries.
The panelists stressed that the changing global funding landscape requires Nigerian NGOs and development agencies to diversify their sources of income and strengthen homegrown solutions.
They advised organisations to embrace crowdfunding and tap into diaspora communities for support on charitable projects back home.
They also urged NGOs to look inward for more durable and sustainable funding rather than relying solely on international donors.
The panellists further cautioned against duplication of efforts by agencies, calling for stronger collaboration, strategic partnerships, and institutional capacity-building to ensure long-term impact.
On accountability, the speakers emphasised that transparency in charity spending remains a critical factor in building trust.
They added that gaps in public service delivery by the government continue to put pressure on NGOs and humanitarian agencies, making it imperative for them to adopt innovative and accountable practices that ensure sustainability.