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Self Report 2019

The self-report on WHS Commitments below is organized according to the 24 transformations of the Agenda for Humanity. It is based on commitments pledged at the time of report submission. Click on the 'Expand' symbol to expand each section and read the reporting inputs by transformation.

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  • 2C
    Speak out on violations

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Throughout 2018, Caritas Internationalis continued to advocate respect for human rights in relevant international fora and human rights mechanisms, especially the UN Human Rights Council and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group. Emphasis was put on protracted crisis and emerging humanitarian crises like Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in the Northern Triangle of Central America.  In 2018, Caritas Internationalis presented a UPR submission on the Central African Republic and on Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, Caritas Internationalis co-hosted with the World Evangelical Alliance a side-event on "Achieving social cohesion in Central African Republic" in conjunction with the 37th session of the Human Rights Council to continue its support to the local peace initiative of the Interreligious Peace Platform (https://www.pcrc-rca.org/). With the support of Secours Catholique - Caritas France and French-based organizations, Caritas Internationalis is going to develop a briefing paper on the impact of exploitation of natural resources on the current humanitarian crisis in Central African Republic and on the human rights situation.  

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Data and analysis
    • Field conditions, including insecurity and access
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Caritas Internationalis would have wished to be more vocal and focus also on other major humanitarian crises but given the political and the security contexts Caritas Internationalis was not able to engage in effective advocacy work to address other crises. 

    Keywords

    IHL compliance and accountability

  • 2D
    Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)

    To ensure that the Caritas Internationalis (CI) Confederation is fully accountable to all its constituencies, Caritas members adhere to the CI Code of Ethics and staff to the Code of Conduct of their respective organizations. As part of an ongoing move to improve accountability towards all those it serves and accompanies, individuals and communities, Caritas Internationalis has undertaken a review of the existing safeguarding policies and procedures in line with the sector’s best standards and practices.

    As a result, new policies and procedures have been put in place that assure that our firm commitment to zero tolerance vis-a-vis sexual exploitation, harassment and fraud is put into action.This includes a Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy, an Anti-Harassment Policy and a Complaints Handling Mechanism.

    In addition, Caritas Internationalis is finalizing a MoU with a competent organization that can provide high level expert investigators that member organizations can request when needed. The Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR) of which CI is a a member has developed an Inter-Agency Disclosure Scheme to assure greater level of screening of staff during recruitment processes. Caritas Internationalis will sign the Disclosure Scheme and encourage members to adhere to it.

    Other

    Caritas Internationalis has a partnership with the Centre for Child Protection of the Gregorian Pontifical University. The University provides trainings both through formation programs in Rome from 3 months to 2 years (licentiate) and through e-learning: see https://childprotection.unigre.it/e-learning/

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Lack of a common understanding of "safeguarding" and lack of clarity with the terminology could affect policy coherence.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    A common ground and understanding was reached trough an extensive internal consultation process and discussions, including with the support of legal counselors and experts of the sector.

    Keywords

    PSEA

  • 3A
    Reduce and address displacement

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • Caritas strongly advocate for the protection of refugees and migrants as well as the responsibilities of host governments to recognize and guarantee the right to a secure stay in host countries, with adequate access to safe and dignified services and support


    • Advocacy
    • Leave No One Behind

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new approach to addressing forced displacement that not only meets immediate humanitarian needs but reduces vulnerability and improves the resilience, self-reliance and protection of refugees and IDPs. Commit to implementing this new approach through coherent international, regional and national efforts that recognize both the humanitarian and development challenges of displacement. Commit to take the necessary political, policy, legal and financial steps required to address these challenges for the specific context.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Commit to actively work to uphold the institution of asylum and the principle of non-refoulement. Commit to support further accession to and strengthened implementation of national, regional and international laws and policy frameworks that ensure and improve the protection of refugees and IDPs, such as the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol or the AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala convention) or the Guiding Principles on internal displacement.
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Refugees

    Caritas Internationalis actively contributed to the process leading towards the adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees. Caritas Internationalis, in close collaboration with Caritas Uganda and Caritas Honduras, has provided best practices to inform the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).

    In addition, more that 30 national Caritas member organizations across the world have a longstanding operational partnership with UNHCR with interventions ranging from protection (C. Honduras, C. Tanzania, C. El Salvador), to access to services,  including  primary health care (C. Jordan, C. Lebanon), psychosocial support (C. Lebanon), education (C. Lebanon, C. Nepal), food distribution (C. Burundi) but also local integration (C. Boliviana, Caritas diocesana Rio de Janeiro, C. Sao Paulo, C. Paranà), voluntary return (C. Côte d'Ivoire, C. Centrafrique), risk of statelessness (C. Albania), and shelter support (C. Bangladesh), to name but a few.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Data and analysis
    Keywords

    Displacement

  • 3B
    Address the vulnerabilities of migrants and provide more regular and lawful opportunities for migration

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • Caritas strongly advocate for the protection of refugees and migrants as well as the responsibilities of host governments to recognize and guarantee the right to a secure stay in host countries, with adequate access to safe and dignified services and support


    • Advocacy
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Caritas Internationalis contributed to the process leading towards the adoption of the Global Compact for Migration. An Interfaith Conference in May 2018 was organized with the support of the the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN, “Sharing the journey of Migrants and Refugees – an Interfaith perspective on the Global Compacts”. The event offered the opportunity to share the 20 Pastoral Action Points for the Global Compacts developed by the Vatican's Migrants and Refugees Section with the contribution of catholic -inspired organizations, including Caritas Internationalis.

    In addition, in conjunction with the Intergovernmental Conference in Marrakech leading to the adoption of the Global Compact on Migration, Caritas Internationalis has organized a side-event on access to Social Services (GCM objectives 15 and 16) with the Chair of the Migrant Workers Committee, Mr A. Tall, with a Caritas delegation (France, Somalia, Lebanon, Ghana, and Caritas Africa Regional Secretariat and an academia researcher). Since 2017 and throughout 2018, Caritas Internationalis continued its "Share the Journey Campaign"  to promote a culture of encounter between migrants, refugees and host communities.Caritas called on communities around the world to walk side by side with migrants and refugees as part of Share the Journey’s Global Solidarity Walk. By walking together, we learn more about each other, build friendships and also send a strong message of unity to political leaders.

    The aim is to walk together 1 million kilometres. Each step we take around the world is a step towards building stronger and welcoming communities and opening our minds and hearts towards a common future.

    Keywords

    Displacement, Migrants

  • 3D
    Empower and protect women and girls

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Empower Women and Girls as change agents and leaders, including by increasing support for local women's groups to participate meaningfully in humanitarian action.
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Empowerment of women and girls

    Throughout its history, the Caritas Confederation has undergone several reflections about equality between women and men within its mission.

    During 2018, the current Caritas Women’s Working Group, composed of members from the 7 Caritas regions, requested a survey in order to enquire about the status of women in Caritas structures worldwide. The survey was completed by staff in the headquarters in Vatican City, CI delegations to the UN in Geneva and New York by national Caritas members worldwide. This material provided insights on perceptions of gender equality within Caritas’ structures and will be used in recommendations to the entire Confederation.

    The Women’s Working Group is now organizing a new Women’s Forum, which will take place on 22 May 2019 ahead of the CI General Assembly. The Caritas Women’s Fora during the past years has always been a space where women of the Caritas Confederation discuss and engage with issues which concern them. This year the reflection will be promoting a higher representation of women in leadership roles as well as to work towards equality between men and women more broadly and recommend the appropriate tools for it. It will bring together women panelists, women from Vatican structures, members of the Caritas Women’s working group and staff from all the Caritas regions.

    Keywords

    Gender

  • 4A
    Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems

    Individual Commitments (5)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Caritas acknowledges cash transfers as an effective humanitarian tool and commits to using or facilitating use of cash wherever feasible and appropriate in humanitarian response.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Caritas commits to build a stronger Caritas Confederation by strengthening the knowledge and adherence of its members to international standards in emergency responses - enshrined in Caritas Internationalis Management Standards - to ensure accountability to the people we serve.
    • Training
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Caritas commits to invest in quality assurance to demonstrate its adherence to humanitarian standards and good practices, including in how it demonstrates accountability to people affected by crisis, in line with Caritas Internationalis' Management Standards.


    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Caritas will strengthen its network by building the capacity of each organization to effectively identify and respond to needs, developing specific (aid) services, leadership and responsibilities. Each national Caritas will be the point of reference for other member organizations in a given country. This in turn will allow us to empower grassroots to fully participate in decision-making and promote greater resilience of affected communities.
    • Capacity
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • In line with the preferential option for the poor, Caritas Internationalis has always put people at the heart of its humanitarian action and will continue doing so to support them to rebuild their lives in full respect of their dignity. In doing so, Caritas will strive to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards of accountability to the people it serves.
    • Policy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Core Commitments (4)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to reinforce national and local leadership and capacities in managing disaster and climate-related risks through strengthened preparedness and predictable response and recovery arrangements.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to increase substantially and diversify global support and share of resources for humanitarian assistance aimed to address the differentiated needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises in fragile situations and complex emergencies, including increasing cash-based programming in situations where relevant.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Adherence to quality and accountability standards (e.g. CHS, SPHERE)

    Adherence to quality and accountability standards, especially Sphere, is a permanent feature of the Caritas Confederation. Caritas Internationalis is a full member of Sphere and has contributed to the elaboration of the fourth edition of the Sphere Handbook. Caritas Internationalis is also committed in rolling it out widely across the Caritas Confederation to ensure its members deliver quality humanitarian assistance and accountability to affected communities and people.  The upcoming General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis in May, which will gather all 165 national Caritas member organizations, is offering the ideal opportunity to disseminate and introduce the new edition of the Sphere Handbook. A booth will be set up with copies of the new Handbook and information on Sphere trainings organized in 2019 across the world will be made available to Caritas members. Finally, since 2019 Caritas Internationalis' Humanitarian Director has been elected recently new vice-president of the Sphere board.

    Keywords

    Local action, Quality and accountability standards

  • 5A
    Invest in local capacities

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Direct funding to national/local actors

    Caritas Internationalis, with the support of its Humanitarian Policy Task Force, developed a Position paper on Localization. The paper is based on a survey conducted online across the Caritas Confederation in March 2018. In total, 127 staff from Caritas member organizations and Diocesan Caritas in 80 different countries on all six continents responded to the survey.

    The position paper outlines the organizational and global governance structures of the Caritas members
    of the Confederation and the commitments members have made to further strengthen localization
    and partnership in humanitarian action. One of the commitments is to ensure that where a national Caritas member organization is best placed to access and secure funding to sustain a high quality humanitarian response, other members of the Caritas confederation will refrain from competing for or securing nationally available funding such as pooled funds or funds available from institutional donors present in-country. In addition, Caritas confederation members will increasingly collaborate with and support national Caritas members to secure direct funding from institutional donors.

    Capacity building of national/local actors

    Capacity strengthening. As outlined, in the recent Caritas Internationalis' Position paper on Localization the collective commitment of the Caritas confederation is to strengthen and promote the capacity and sustainability of the national Caritas organization to respond to humanitarian crises. Capacity assessments consider the long-term response of the organization, planning beyond the immediate capacity requirements to deliver a humanitarian response. A commitment to capacity strengthening will feature in every partnership agreement between an international and local Caritas. Additionally, at least 2% of each Caritas Emergency Appeal will be earmarked for capacity investment of the national member responding to a humanitarian crisis. Caritas Emergency Appeals are a pooled funding mechanism whereby Caritas organizations can pledge and allocate funding (private and institutional) for a particular humanitarian crisis in a given country.

    Surge capacity. The Caritas confederation recognises that investment in surge capacity across the Caritas confederation is key to strengthening capacity, reputation and recognition of national actors as humanitarian responders. Noting the need for cross-organizational surge support, particularly south-south, to provide relevant technical expertise in a humanitarian response, Caritas national organizations commit to supporting national capacity with secondments, facilitating surge capacity, and promoting efforts to strengthen staff retention. 

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    The existing funding modalities within the Caritas confederation, particularly the Emergency Appeal system, comprise a fast and efficient tool for Caritas members to access funding. However, operational members often face challenges in covering their administrative or unearmarked costs.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Noting the essential requirement of funds to cover indirect costs, promote organizational development and support long-term program commitments, the Caritas confederation commits to providing at least 5% of the humanitarian funding budget towards coverage of the core/administrative costs of implementing partners of humanitarian actors in a response. Caritas organizations will advocate internally and externally on the practical necessities of core funding for organizations. Core funding investment will be necessary to strengthen standards of programming, transparency and overall accountability of humanitarian programming.

    Keywords

    Local action

Attachments

  • WHS Commitments Attachments
    Transformation - 4A, 5A | Local action, Strengthening local systems