CARE (relief agency)

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"CARE Australia" redirects here. For the Australian relief agency AUSTCARE, now Action Aid Australia, see Action Aid Australia.
Ying Sin Leung CARE Village in Cheung Chau, a small island southwest of Hong Kong.

CARE is one of the largest international development and humanitarian organizations in the world, with programmes in over 70 countries. The CARE International Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Worldwide staffing exceeds 14,000, most of whom come from the nation in which they work.

CARE (originally "Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe", and later "Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere"), was a co-founded in 1945 by Arthur Ringland[1] who had the idea and the perseverance to secure financial backing for overseas food relief packages, Lincoln Clark who focused on practical administration and Wallace Campbell who limited its scope to include voluntary agencies. [2]The relief came in "CARE Packages",[3]. Each CARE Package cost $10 and was guaranteed to reach its addressee within four months.


CARE's mission has evolved over the decades. CARE continues to provide emergency relief during and after disasters, but the organization today focuses on addressing underlying causes of poverty. In areas such as health, HIV/AIDS, natural resources, education and economic development, CARE works to empower women, because experience has shown that women's gains yield dramatic benefits for families and communities. CARE also advocates for policies that defend human rights and promote the eradication of poverty.

Today CARE International is an international confederation composed of twelve national members. Each member is an autonomous non-governmental organisation in its own right, registered and governed according to national law as a charitable body.


Contents

[edit] Official mission statement

To serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world. Drawing strength from our global diversity, resources and experience, to promote innovative solutions and advocate for global responsibility. Facilitate lasting change by:

  • Strengthening capacity for self-help
  • Providing economic opportunity
  • Delivering relief in emergencies
  • Influencing policy decisions at all levels
  • Addressing discrimination in all its forms

Guided by the aspirations of local communities, CARE pursues its mission with both excellence and compassion because the people who are served deserve nothing less.[1]

[edit] Countries of operation

As of 2009, CARE operates programs in the following countries:

[edit] Campaigns

CARE's campaigns in the fight against global poverty include[2]:

  • The World Hunger Campaign - Donations to CARE sponsor feeding programs, education, microcredit loans, sustainable agriculture and other projects designed to reduce world hunger and poverty.
  • Education – CARE partners with governments, communities and organizations to improve the quality and accessibility of basic education.
  • HIV/AIDS – CARE provides educational programs and supports grassroots efforts to reduce the spread of the disease and to aid those affected by HIV/AIDS.
  • Victories Over Poverty - CARE works with communities to provide emergency relief, and long-term solutions to poverty.
  • CARE for the Child - Supporters may automatically contribute funds via the CARE for the Child monthly giving program.

In 2003, CARE delivered supplies and equipment, including food, water, repair water systems and sanitation kits to pediatric hospitals, health centers, and vulnerable families in southern Iraq. [3] In 2004, the organization suspended its operations in Iraq in response to the kidnapping and apparent death of Margaret Hassan, CARE's director of operations in Iraq. [4][5] The last CARE project Hassan completed was one for children with spinal injuries.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

CARE member web sites

CARE Country Office websites

Other sites

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://www.care-international.org/About-Care/
  2. ^ "CARE Campaigns", [www.care.org], Accessed December 7, 2007.
  3. ^ "CARE readies humanitarian deliveries from Jordan to Iraq", "ReliefWeb", April 18, 2003. Accessed December 8, 2007.
  4. ^ "Director of CARE Iraq Abducted in Baghdad", "Fox News", October 20, 2004. Accessed December 8, 2007.
  5. ^ "CARE profoundly saddened by the apparent death of Mrs. Margaret Hasan", [CARE.org], November 14, 2004. Accessed December 8, 2007.
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