Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency, launched a five-year program for drought-stricken Ethiopia March 16. Called the Joint Emergency Operation Program (JEOP), it will provide $1.3 billion in humanitarian assistance over five years in support of more than 8.5 million people.
On March 13, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would begin considering extensions, on a case-by-case basis, for Ukrainian nationals and immediate family members who entered the U.S. prior to the federal government’s Uniting for Ukraine program.
A new earthquake struck the border area between Turkey and Syria the night of Feb. 20, sparking fear and anxiety for people already bereft and for those helping them since the devastating Feb. 6 earthquake.
The bishop circulated the appeal as Kenyan troops were deployed Nov. 2 as part of an East African regional force in eastern Congo, in a fresh bid to end violence by rival militia groups.
Eight Catholic bishops in England — including a Ukrainian Catholic bishop — have asked the British government to work for a swift resolution of the war in Ukraine and to act to help refugees from the conflict.
Efforts by the United Nations to limit the use of explosive weaponry in highly populated urban areas gained the support of the Vatican’s nuncio to the world organization.
After Pope Francis denounced putting up “barbed wire” to keep out migrants and the practice of pushing boats back to countries where they face conditions similar to an encampment, the Vatican announced he would help move a dozen migrants from Cyprus to Italy before Christmas.
At a recent interfaith forum, Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Aram of Cilicia urged faith communities to run “people-oriented education” programs and work for justice as well as healing.
