Activity Report 2024

Emergency assistance in cases of war, displacement, violence and natural catastrophes

Sister Janette with a poor family in the Vicariate of Guapi in the Colombian jungle.

Emergency assistance for refugees is deeply rooted in the history of our relief organisation. At the beginning of the 1950s, ACN was already doing pioneering work in supporting displaced persons. The bitter truth is: there are more refu- gees worldwide today than ever before. 122.6 million people are currently fleeing war and violence around the world; of these, several million alone are in the Middle East. Our great financial commitment to refu- gees and displaced persons in the Middle East is not only a response to their

pressing need, but also a contribution to stop the wave of Christian emigra- tion and thus ensure the continuity of Christianity in the region (for more information, see the Middle East chapter starting on page 60). We also support Christians who have been persecuted and expelled for their beliefs in many other parts of the world. Whether in Mindanao in the Philippines or in northern Nigeria, where Islamist terrorist groups are perpetrating acts of violence against the Christian minority, we stand by those who have not been able to save anything but their bare lives.

» For us, the greatest

conceivable catastrophe would be not to act. « Guido Gröning, Director of Finance

Sister Elisabeth at the Bangassou Infirmary in the Central African Republic.

24 | ACN Activity Report 2024| Emergency assistance in cases of war, displacement, violence and natural catastrophes