Caritas Gambia

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A Story from Caritas Ukraine: Supporting Mental Health in Times of War

Sister Francyska’s Mission: psychological support amid conflict In Ukraine, the ongoing war has left deep emotional and psychological wounds alongside widespread devastation. Through Caritas-Spes Ukraine, Sister Francyska Tumanevych provides psychological support to people affected by loss, displacement, and prolonged uncertainty.

  • Human Mobility
  • publication

Sudan: Today marks 1,000 days of crisis

Caritas Internationalis urges the international community to #KeepEyesOnSudan Today, 9 January, marks 1,000 days of conflict in Sudan – one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises – where more than 33.7 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, effectively two in three people, and where famine has

  • Advocacy, Humanitarian Action
  • publication

Beyond survival: supporting Sudanese refugees in Egypt

As the war in Sudan passed its 1,000th day on 9 January, its consequences continue to spread far beyond the country’s borders.

  • Emergency, Humanitarian Action
  • publication

From victim to advocate: Father Jean De Dieu’s fight against modern slavery

Every year on 8 February, communities around the world unite in prayer, reflection and action for the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

  • Human Trafficking, Prayers and Reflections
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Mexico and Bangladesh Help For Children

Mexico and Bangladesh Help Children Charity and Donation is a categorys that involves giving financial category that involves giving financial or material support various causes organizations. It allows individuals towards the a addressing social category that involves giving financial or material support various causes of organizations. It allows individuals towards

  • Health, Volunteer
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Children International Forms partnership with RKD Group

Children International Forms partnership Charity and Donation is a categorys that involves giving financial category that involves giving financial or material support various causes organizations. It allows individuals towards the a addressing social category that involves giving financial or material support various causes of organizations. It allows individuals towards addressing

  • Donation, Education

Our governance and leadership

Caritas Gambia operates under a structured governance framework that ensures accountability, transparency and strategic oversight.

As the social and development arm of the Catholic Diocese of Banjul, the organization functions under the guidance of the Bishop of Banjul and a Board of Directors composed of professionals drawn from diverse fields.

This structure strengthens institutional integrity and ensures that programs are implemented responsibly and in alignment with national development priorities.

PRESIDENT

His Lordship, The Bishop of Banjul

The Bishop of Banjul serves as President of Caritas Gambia and provides overall spiritual and institutional oversight.

He ensures that the organization remains aligned with its mandate of promoting human dignity, justice and holistic development.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Caritas Gambia is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Bishop of Banjul.
The Board provides strategic direction, policy oversight and fiduciary supervision.
Key responsibilities include:

  • Approving strategic plans and annual work plans
  •  Ensuring financial accountability and compliance
  • Providing governance oversight
  • Supporting institutional growth and partnerships

The Executive Board is made up of seven members:

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

The National Director serves as the administrative head of the organization and is responsible for overall coordination of programs and operations.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Providing leadership and technical guidance
  • Managing staff and program implementation
  • Reporting to the Board of Directors
  • Representing Caritas Gambia in national and international engagements
  • Ensuring compliance with donor and regulatory requirements

The National Director works closely with senior management and program teams to ensure effective delivery of interventions nationwide.

The members

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Board members are drawn from different professional backgrounds to ensure diverse expertise in governance, finance, development and social services.

Caritas Gambia operates through a professional management team and regional units that oversee thematic programs including:

  • Health and Nutrition
  • Education
  • Migration and Reintegration
  • Agriculture and Food Security
  • Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion
  • Livelihood and Youth Development

Sub offices and project units operate in various regions of the country to ensure nationwide reach and field level supervision.

The members

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Caritas Gambia maintains strong institutional policies and systems to ensure accountability and compliance.

Policies in place include:

  • Human Resources Policy
  • Finance and Procurement Policy
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Strategic and Action Plan
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association

The organization is registered with the NGO Affairs Agency under NGO Certificate No. A 85 NGO and complies with national regulatory requirements.

The members

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

Legal Affairs Commission Chair

Fr. Robert Augustine Twele

Catholic Relief Services, North America Region

President

H.Em. Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi

President provides spiritual and institutional guidance and is the main responsible for relation of contact with the Holy See. The President chairs the sessions of the General Assembly, the Representative Council, and the Executive Board.

The Confederation is led by H. Em. Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, elected President of Caritas Internationalis in 2023.

Vice President

Ms. Mena Antonio

Vice President supports the President in providing institutional guidance and in representing Caritas Internationalis across the Confederation. The Vice President promotes the mission of Caritas in coordination with the President and according to the responsibilities assigned to the role.

The Vice President is elected by the Representative Council, upon the President’s proposal, and confirmed by the General Assembly. The current Vice President was elected in November 2025.

Secretary General

Mr. Alistair Chad Dutton

The Secretary General is the legal representative of Caritas Internationalis and directs the General Secretariat under the authority of the Executive Board.
This role includes implementing the strategic plan, overseeing economic and operational management, and maintaining regular communication with the Holy See’s competent bodies and dicasteries.

The current Secretary General is Mr. Alistair Chad Dutton, appointed in 2023.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat, based in Vatican City, works under the Secretary General and within the framework set by the governing bodies. It coordinates emergency response, advocacy, communications, and organisational development.
It also represents Caritas at the United Nations in New York and Geneva, ensuring local communities are heard in global decision-making spaces.

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