Purpose

As one Body in Christ, to inspire, unite and enable the Catholic Community in Singapore,
to love and serve our neighbours in the region through humanitarian aid and disaster response.

About CHARIS

Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives (Singapore) Ltd (CHARIS) is the umbrella body for overseas humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts of the Archdiocese of Singapore. CHARIS is a member of Caritas Internationalis and was launched on 20 August 2010 by His Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Chia.

As the umbrella body for overseas humanitarian aid by the Archdiocese of Singapore, CHARIS has contributed and supported numerous relief responses and humanitarian efforts in Asia and beyond. Humanitarian situations cover natural disasters and other adverse circumstances faced by the poor and needy, especially in developing countries in the region. These include funding for food, medical aid and shelter for immediate relief as well as the long-term support of those displaced and in need.

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Inspire

To inspire the Catholic community towards Catholic Social Mission, grounded in compassion, empathy, and fraternal love.

Unite

To unite the Catholic community, parishes, and member organisations for action towards answering the call of the poor, and to be in unity with the Caritas and other regional networks.

Enable

To enable Catholic individuals, communities, and organisations undertaking overseas humanitarian work through empowerment and capacity building.

Our Logo

CHARIS_logo

CROSS

The stylised cross identifies CHARIS as a Catholic organisation. The cross also forms an ‘umbrella’ which defines the role of CHARIS as an umbrella organisation.

PURPLE COLOUR

The colour purple representing both the colour of suffering (used during lent) and the ‘‘coming’’ of hope which we seek to bring to those suffering overseas.

WHITE GLOW

The light of Christ that radiates through the centre of the stylised cross is the source that inspires and strengthens us to live out our lives in true faith and to fulfil the Church’s social mission for our neighbours in need.

CROSS

The stylised cross identifies CHARIS as a Catholic organisation. The cross also forms an ‘umbrella’ which defines the role of CHARIS as an umbrella organisation.

PURPLE COLOUR

The colour purple representing both the colour of suffering (used during lent) and the ‘‘coming’’ of hope which we seek to bring to those suffering overseas.

WHITE GLOW

The light of Christ that radiates through the centre of the stylised cross is the source that inspires and strengthens us to live out our lives in true faith and to fulfil the Church’s social mission for our neighbours in need.

OUR LOGO

CHARIS_logo

CROSS

The stylised cross identifies CHARIS as a Catholic organisation. The cross also forms an ‘umbrella’ which defines the role of CHARIS as an umbrella organisation.

PURPLE COLOUR

The colour purple representing both the colour of suffering (used during lent) and the ‘‘coming’’ of hope which we seek to bring to those suffering overseas.

WHITE GLOW

The light of Christ that radiates through the centre of the stylised cross is the source that inspires and strengthens us to live out our lives in true faith and to fulfil the Church’s social mission for our neighbours in need.

Milestones

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2004

    Archdiocesan Crisis Coordination Team (ACCT) was formed to coordinate response with $1.5m collected post Asian Tsunami.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2006

    Formation of CSCC, and ACCT was an affiliate. CSCC was renamed “Caritas Singapore Community Council” in 2008.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2010

    CHARIS was launched on 20 August 2010.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2011

    Organised the first Humanitarian Forum & Fair (HFF).

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2012

    Established partnership with ST Logistics to stockpile and deliver emergency aid items.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2013

    Responded to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, committing over S$1M in grant aid.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2014

    The Humanitarian Resource Centre was set up at the Catholic Centre.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2015

    Responded to the Nepal earthquakes, pledging grant aid and sending relief supplies.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2016

    Conducted mission trips to Sri Lanka, where our first Biosand water filters were built.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2017

    2017 Rakhine

    CHARIS converted from an Archdiocesan body to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) on 2 June 2017 with registered charity status granted on 29 Nov 2017.  Started operations as CLG on 1 Jan 2018.

    Since the start of the Rohingya refugee crisis, CHARIS has been continually supporting those who have been aiding the communities.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2018

    Collaborated with Cebu RRU

    Collaborated with Cebu RRU on a 3-year community-based disaster risk reduction project for those who were most affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2019

    CHARIS officially admitted as Member Organisation of Caritas Internationalis

    CHARIS officially admitted as Member Organisation of Caritas Internationalis in May 2019, separate from Caritas Singapore’s membership.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2020

    CHARIS celebrates its 10th anniversary and launches a new Purpose Statement in place of original Vision and Mission Statements.

    Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, CHARIS has been prioritizing aid towards the needs that have arisen. To safeguard the communities we serve, overseas trips also were suspended.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2021

    The second wave of Covid-19 in India

    The second wave of Covid-19 in India overwhelmed their system and sparked a massive humanitarian crisis, and CHARIS started a fundraising campaign which was met with an outpouring of support from the community in Singapore.

    Responded to the refugee situation caused by the worsening security situation in Afghanistan.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2022

    The open conflict in Ukraine

    The open conflict in Ukraine resulted in refugees and internally displaced people. CHARIS supported those on the ground providing immediate relief.

MILESTONES

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2004

    Archdiocesan Crisis Coordination Team (ACCTS) was formed to coordinate response with $1.5m collected post Asian Tsunami.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2006

    Formation of CSCC, and ACCTS was an affiliate. CSCC was renamed “Caritas Singapore Community Council” in 2008.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2010

    CHARIS was launched on 20 August 2010.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2011

    Organised the first Humanitarian Forum & Fair (HFF).

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2012

    Established partnership with ST Logistics to stockpile and deliver emergency aid items.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2013

    Responded to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, committing over S$1M in grant aid.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2014

    The Humanitarian Resource Centre was set up at the Catholic Centre.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2015

    Responded to the Nepal earthquakes, pledging grant aid and sending relief supplies.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2016

    Conducted mission trips to Sri Lanka, where our first Biosand water filters were built.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2017

    2017 Rakhine

    CHARIS converted from an Archdiocesan body to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) on 2 June 2017 with registered charity status granted on 29 Nov 2017.  Started operations as CLG on 1 Jan 2018.

    Since the start of the Rohingya refugee crisis, CHARIS has been continually supporting those who have been aiding the communities.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2018

    Collaborated with Cebu RRU

    Collaborated with Cebu RRU on a 3-year community-based disaster risk reduction project for those who were most affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2019

    CHARIS officially admitted as Member Organisation of Caritas Internationalis

    CHARIS officially admitted as Member Organisation of Caritas Internationalis in May 2019, separate from Caritas Singapore’s membership.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2020

    CHARIS celebrates its 10th anniversary and launches a new Purpose Statement in place of original Vision and Mission Statements.

    Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, CHARIS has been prioritizing aid towards the needs that have arisen. To safeguard the communities we serve, overseas trips also were suspended.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2021

    The second wave of Covid-19 in India

    The second wave of Covid-19 in India overwhelmed their system and sparked a massive humanitarian crisis, and CHARIS started a fundraising campaign which was met with an outpouring of support from the community in Singapore.

    Responded to the refugee situation caused by the worsening security situation in Afghanistan.

  • Apr 11, 2022

    2022

    The open conflict in Ukraine

    The open conflict in Ukraine resulted in refugees and internally displaced people. CHARIS supported those on the ground providing immediate relief.

Catholic Social Teaching