By Katie Vasquez
As rescue efforts continue in Myanmar and Thailand after a 7.7 earthquake on March 28th, Catholic Relief Services is on the ground helping. The charity founded by US Catholic Bishops in 1943, helps 120 countries around the world.
Brooklyn’s auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros has witnessed their work in action. In 2022, he traveled with a CRS group to Nepal, where they were building earthquake proof homes after the region was hit in 2015.
“We went that day that their house was being given to them. They received the keys that day. Oh, what joy,” said Bishop Cisneros.
But soon that life-saving aid will be heavily impacted.
The non-profit started layoffs and halted programs because of federal cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development also known as USAID. The funding supplies half their budget.
“Catholic Relief Services is the largest non-profit, faith based non-profit that partners with USAID,” said Meghan Clark, the faculty co-chair of St John’s University CRS Global Campus Committee.
Parishioners in the Diocese of Brooklyn are being urged to step up.
“The extra collection is very much needed. otherwise CRS has to pull back, and who else is going to help some of these, these folks,” said Father Thomas Ahern, the CRS liaison for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
And help out with their various charitable works, like their annual rice bowl campaign.
The Lenten program was founded 50 years ago and has since expanded to help more than 200 million people around the world.
“It is one of the best ways for us to really kind of connect giving of money and resources,” said Clark.
Although the organization is facing cuts, Bishop Cisneros says the mission will continue regardless.
“We will continue to take care of those projects that are essential. essential, for people to eat, to sustain their lives,” said Bishop Cisneros.
If you would like to help Catholic Relief Services make up their losses, head to https://www.crs.org/