On the 75th anniversary of the founding of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) praised the organization for the life-saving work it has done for decades in 110 countries worldwide.
“For 75 years, CRS and thousands of leaders, staff and volunteers have saved and enhanced the lives of the weakest, most vulnerable in over 100 countries,” Smith stated at a 75th anniversary reception for Catholic Relief Services on Capitol Hill on Tuesday .
“Whether it be programs for health, agriculture, water, sanitation, emergency response, microfinancing, or justice, CRS is on the spot taking compassion beyond mere words to effective action. In my time in Congress, having traveled to countries stricken by conflict and natural disasters, I have seen first-hand the work CRS does in refugee camps serving others in a vulnerable state,” Smith said.
Catholic Relief Services is a humanitarian aid organization founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to help war-torn Europe rebuild and recover and to assist refugees from the conflict.
Since then CRS has expanded its mission to 110 countries reaching more than 130 million poor and vulnerable people in the U.S., Latin America, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Europe, and the Caucasus. CRS serves all people regardless of race, nationality or religion. It provides emergency aid to victims of conflicts and natural disasters, as well as health and education programs, sustainable development and agricultural initiatives, and peacebuilding programs.
“CRS has always accomplished difficult missions, often at great risk to its own personnel, at a minimum of cost overhead—an average of about 94 percent of its resources have gone directly into programs, and only six percent dedicated to fundraising, awareness, and management,” Smith stated.
“That’s an astounding record—efficient, effective, accountable. CRS has always radiated the love of Christ in a tangible way, fulfilling 24/7 Our Lord’s admonishment in Matthew 25 to care for the least of these.”
In 2017, CRS reached 12.4 million people in 52 countries with disaster relief. Its health programs—focusing on maternal and child health, nutrition, and fighting diseases like Malaria, HIV, and Tuberculosis—served 6.2 million in 51 countries through 124 projects. CRS also had education programs in 35 countries and 124 projects for sustainable agriculture in 51 countries serving 6.1 million people.
