Disaster Relief Impact

Blessing Communities in Crisis

When a disaster strikes, we and the Church have an opportunity to manifest the love of Christ by addressing the urgent needs of the poor and vulnerable. You took part in this mission of mercy when you empowered Cross Catholic Outreach and its network of partners on the ground to provide for both immediate needs of the poor and long-term recovery efforts in their communities.

During the 2022 fiscal year, Cross Catholic Outreach donors responded generously to both manmade and natural disasters, including the war in Ukraine, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti and lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. You also supported Hurricane Ida relief in the United States, including the shipment of 116 pallets of personal care items, diapers and other supplies to our partners at Catholic Charities of Acadiana, Louisiana.

9
Projects
6
Countries
Grants Provided
55,825
People
Received Emergency Meals
2,407
Survivors
Blessed With Safe Shelter
20
Medical and Other Staff Salaries

CARING FOR UKRAINE’S REFUGEES

THE DICASTERY FOR THE SERVICE OF CHARITY

Un cardenal católico junto a una mujer que sostiene a un perro afuera de una construcción seriamente dañada.

Cross Catholic Outreach has a long history of standing with the Church and supporting her missions of mercy. This empowering work is particularly important to vulnerable people in times of turmoil.

When war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, we quickly identified trusted Catholic partners in strategic positions, including shelters and refugee centers in Ukraine and Poland, and mobilized efforts to rush much-needed food, water, ambulances, generators, and sanitary kits and to offer spiritual support, trauma therapy, and short- and long-term housing solutions.

Our partners have included Cardinal Konrad Krajewski of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity and those working in shelters in the Ukrainian cities of Lutsk, Struga and Nowa Uszyca, as well as the Archdiocese of Przemyśl directly across the border in Poland.

As the Papal Almoner, Cardinal Krajewski personally delivered fully equipped ambulances to hospitals in war-torn Ukraine in the name of the Holy Father and through the assistance of Cross Catholic Outreach supporters like you. The first ambulance reached a children’s hospital in Lviv, Ukraine, one month after the outbreak of war, and the cardinal returned during Holy Week to deliver a second ambulance to a hospital in Kyiv.

Fast Facts

History

Cross Catholic Outreach began partnering with the Dicastery for the Service of Charity when Pope Francis created it in 2022. Prior to that, we worked closely with the former Office of Papal Charities.

Food

Cross Catholic Outreach helped support a partner with the distribution of meals for refugee families.

Other Outreaches

Generous Cross Catholic Outreach supporters provided temporary shelter and trauma therapy for refugees in Poland and assisted with securing permanent living arrangements, employment and school for children.

Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred through June 30, 2024, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.