Charitable Catholic Society “Caritas” has its more than 100-year history in the world and exists in our country 20 years. Caritas is a Latin word and means “charitable love”. In our work we give particular attention to children, orphans, people with disabilities, low-income people, pensioners, large families, single-parent families, as well as to all those, who are in difficult situations, regardless  of their religious and political views, ethnic or racial origins.Caritas Belarus was established and officially registered in 1990.

Then in the 1990s in Belarus began establishment and development of the diocesan Caritas. At the beginning the main activity direction for Caritas Belarus was the allocation of humanitarian aid in parishes and among low-income citizens. After the Chernobyl disaster many charitable organizations, foundations and international organizations “Caritas” started to seek contacts with organizations having similar activities in our country, as well as support the structure of “Caritas”.

At first was the word “Caritas” little known, and during conduction of various charitable actions and programs we must often explain objectives and goals of our organization and why, to whom and how it helps. Step by step the diocesan Caritas began to develop, gain experience and be known among Christians and local residents.

The most famous project of that time was improvement of children’s health from the Chernobyl-affected regions of Belarus in Poland and Austria. For example, last year within the framework of health improvement program 11 000 children were on holiday in Austria. Some projects were popular, such as canteens for the needy, and the project “Kitchen on wheels” is home meal delivery to people living alone or people with disabilities. On a continuous basis assistance is provided to children’s homes, hospitals, boarding schools etc.

In 1999 was registered National Caritas in Belarus, that was representative of all the diocesan “Caritas” in ministries and various government agencies, and international organizations, such as Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Europa, Renovabis and other.

The main projects and programs of “Caritas” Belarus were organization of children’s holidays, issue of the quarterly magazine “«Misericordia» (the magazine was published for a period of 14 years), organization and conduction of educational programs and trainings, educational activities and study courses. A good tradition has become holding of Caritas Day on the 3d Sunday of Lent.

Over the years the National Caritas united all the diocesan organizations and  managed to establish an effective cooperation with government social centers.

Nowadays the concept of further organizational development has been actively elaborated.