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CAFOD
@cafod.bsky.social
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We are CAFOD, the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. A better world needs all of us.
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Today, the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day and this year's theme is Bridging Generations as a reminder that remembrance lives through us all.

The Church has resources and reflections available to help people commemorate the day. ⤵️

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/holocaust-memorial-day/
Holocaust Memorial Day - Catholic Bishops' Conference
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is marked on 27 January each year and is a time to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust.
www.cbcew.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 8:57 AM
cafod.bsky.social
Pope Leo yesterday: "Ukraine is being hit by continuous attacks, leaving entire populations exposed to the cold of winter."

One element of our work with partners is delivering firewood and repairing windows.

More on what we do in Ukraine. ⤵️

https://cafod.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/ukraine
A woman stood in front of boards being used as part of the work to replace damaged windows. A man holding up firewood in front of a large stack of it. Iryna holding up her cats in her home with the repaired windows behind her. A woman smiling while stood in front of a gate that has been damaged by shrapnel.
January 26, 2026 at 5:54 PM
cafod.bsky.social
As we mark the #InternationalDayOfEducation, let's take a look back at some of Pope Leo XIV's comments on the value of education and the contributions made by Catholic education.
An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: "Putting the person at the centre means educating them to see with the far-sightedness of Abraham ( Gen 15:5): helping them discover the meaning of life, their inalienable dignity, and their responsibility towards others. Education is not only the transmission of content, but also the learning of virtues. It forms citizens capable of serving and believers capable of witnessing, men and women who are freer, no longer alone." An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: "The Catholic school is an environment in which faith, culture and life intertwine. It is not simply an institution, but rather a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction. Educators are called to a responsibility that goes beyond the work contract: their witness has the same value as their lessons." An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: "Where access to education remains a privilege, the Church must push to open doors and invent new paths, because “losing the poor” is equivalent to losing the school itself. This also applies to universities: an inclusive outlook and attention to the heart save us from standardization; a spirit of service revives the imagination and rekindles love." An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: " Forgetting our common humanity has given rise to divisions and violence; and when the earth suffers, the poor suffer the most. Catholic education cannot be silent: it must combine social justice and environmental justice, promote sobriety and sustainable lifestyles, and form consciences capable of choosing not merely what is convenient, but what is just. Every small gesture – avoiding waste, choosing responsibly, defending the common good – constitutes cultural and moral literacy."
January 24, 2026 at 5:10 PM
cafod.bsky.social
We we find education to be an act of hope.

Much of our work helps young people to make the most of their time learning. Other work we support helps ensure families can have enough money to keep their children in education.

📍 Peru, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Ukraine

#InternationalDayOfEducation
A group of children in Peru holding a sign. A girl called Hawa in Bangladesh holding up her admissions test. A boy named Exovr in the Democratic Republic of Congo who was able to go to school thanks to his grandmother joining a savings and loans group. A grandmother with her granddaughter in Ukraine taking part in activities to help children be ready for school.
January 24, 2026 at 10:11 AM
cafod.bsky.social
The Traitors ends, but the real challenge begins. Harry Clark turns faithful, will you join him?

Strengthen your faith in the #BigLentWalk. ⤵️

https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
January 23, 2026 at 9:54 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Energy and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, visited Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School in Doncaster to learn about their Care for Creation project which is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.
Ed Miliband pictured outside with the schoolchildren by a Jubilee Year banner. Ed Miliband sat in the classroom with the schoolchildren.
January 23, 2026 at 4:44 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Governments around the world have failed to act with the urgency needed in response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Call on the UK Government to step up and show political leadership.

Sign our petition today. ✍️ ⤵️

https://bit.ly/3NrCCgi
A photo showing a table with a range of sanitary materials in a camp for displaced people in Sudan.
January 20, 2026 at 5:19 PM
cafod.bsky.social
There are 30 days to go until Ash Wednesday and the next edition of the #BigLentWalk. 👣

We want to make it the biggest yet as we raise funds for life-saving water.

Sign up now. ⤵️

https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
A graphic featuring an aerial landscape and a purple circle with text saying "200km, 40 days."
January 19, 2026 at 4:05 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Last week, the CAFOD APPG met and heard a briefing from our Sudan team on the ongoing conflict.

Fatima and Danish let parliamentarians know more details about the crisis, the challenges and the impact made by our work with our local partners.
The CAFOD APPG sat around a table for a meeting. Fatima speaks to Parliamentarians on a video call.
January 19, 2026 at 10:25 AM
cafod.bsky.social
Today the Church celebrates Peace Sunday.

Earlier this month in his first message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Leo spoke the importance of an "unarmed and disarming" peace.

More from that message. ⤵️

https://cafod.org.uk/pray/world-day-of-peace
January 18, 2026 at 8:45 AM
cafod.bsky.social
Tomorrow is Peace Sunday and we can all look to the example of Saint Francis.

Pope Leo XIV has announced that 2026 is a Jubilee Year of St. Francis in commemoration of 800 years since his death and recently shared this prayer. 🙏
An illustration of Saint Francis holding a lamb with a prayer that reads: "Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries. In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen"
January 17, 2026 at 7:34 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Children in Syria have had their education interrupted by conflict. Challenges remain but some are now back learning in safe schools.

See more in this report from ITV News that was filmed at a school rebuilt by our partner Basemeh & Zeitooneh. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/4pGR5CC
Returning to school after a civil war | ITV News
YouTube video by ITV News
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:44 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Sign up for the #BigLentWalk this year and we'll send a free pin badge and wallchart in the welcome pack. 💚 📬

Succeed in raising over £200 and we'll recognise your contribution with a free beanie. 💝

Sign up today. ⤵️

https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
A graphic featuring the Big Lent Walk beanie and pin badge. "Free beanie hat when you raise over £200." "Free pin badge when you sign up."
January 15, 2026 at 5:15 PM
cafod.bsky.social
2025 was the deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022.

People are spending months in temporary shelters due to air strikes. In response, our partners are providing shelter, warmth, food and more amidst sub-zero temperatures.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gv27517yxo
Ukraine war: Last year was deadliest for civilians since 2022, UN says
Conflict-related violence killed at least 2,514 civilians last year, the UN's monitoring mission in Ukraine said.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 4:16 PM
cafod.bsky.social
How does debt play such an important role in deepening food insecurity?

It diverts resources away from agriculture and encourages countries to grow crops for export.

Find out more about these issues and what can be done to build food security. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/49iLwUv
How debt feeds food insecurity - and what can be done
Over 2.33 billion people are facing food insecurity. Yet the most food insecure countries have increased their expenditure on debt servicing by 75 per cent in recent years.
cafod.org.uk
January 14, 2026 at 7:36 PM
cafod.bsky.social
After over 1,000 days of fighting, the international community must act to end the violence in Sudan.

Read more in The Tablet about the current crisis and the devastating impact of global aid cuts. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/49x1QkN

#KeepEyesOnSudan
Christian charities increasingly concerned about Sudan crisis after 1000 days of war - The Tablet
Cafod said global aid cuts are having a “devastating impact” on the levels of support that Caritas partners are able to provide in Sudan.
www.thetablet.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 5:39 PM
cafod.bsky.social
The pressure that debt puts on some of the world's most food insecure countries diverts vital resources away from agriculture.

Learn more about the scale of the issue and how a new global debt framework can help build food security. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/49iLwUv
How debt feeds food insecurity - and what can be done
Over 2.33 billion people are facing food insecurity. Yet the most food insecure countries have increased their expenditure on debt servicing by 75 per cent in recent years.
cafod.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 7:50 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Ready for a challenge this Lent?

Cover 200km over 40 days as we raise funds for life-saving water.

Join us in this year's #BigLentWalk and let's make it the biggest yet! 💪

Find out more and sign up here. ⤵️

https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
January 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Here's a good news story from 2025 you may have missed!

In Kenya, the laws that criminalise farmers for saving their own seeds were successfully challenged and declared unconstitutional.

More on why this sets a positive precedent. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/49fFq8Q
Landmark ruling in Kenya allows farmers to save their own seeds
A group of farmers supported by civil society organisations, including CAFOD's partner BIBA-Kenya, have successfully challenged Kenya’s seed laws that criminalised farmers for saving their own seeds.
cafod.org.uk
January 10, 2026 at 7:09 PM
cafod.bsky.social
Yesterday, the war in Sudan reached its 1,000th day.

Over 33 million people - more than half of Sudan's population – desperately need emergency aid.

Learn more about the crisis and what we're doing in response. ⤵️

https://cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/sudan-crisis
A photo of CAFOD’s Head of Region for Africa, Kayode Akintola, with a quote. It says: “What I heard left me speechless. Atrocities, mass displacement, and a humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold in silence. The scale of suffering is staggering, and the muted global response has been profoundly disheartening.”
January 10, 2026 at 11:22 AM
cafod.bsky.social
Today marks 1,000 days of conflict in Sudan and the country is facing the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Women and children are paying the highest price and inaction is costing lives.

Find out more and sign the petition. ✍️ ⤵️

https://bit.ly/4psumdp
An image of a woman in Sudan with text that says "Keep eyes on Sudan."
January 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM
cafod.bsky.social
Over 2.33 billion people are facing food insecurity. At the same time, some of the most food insecure countries are spending 75% more on servicing debt.

As debt diverts resources away from agriculture, read more on how it impacts food systems. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/49iLwUv
How debt feeds food insecurity - and what can be done
Over 2.33 billion people are facing food insecurity. Yet the most food insecure countries have increased their expenditure on debt servicing by 75 per cent in recent years.
cafod.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
cafod.bsky.social
By working with our trusted local partners in Latin America, we stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela.

Find out more about the current situation, the work of our partners and what the Church has said. ⤵️

cafod.org.uk/news/emergen...
Venezuela crisis explained
Many Venezuelans are already facing extreme challenges getting access to basic goods and services after years of depression and hyper-inflation pushing families to the brink. Around 8 million Venezuel...
cafod.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 4:40 PM
cafod.bsky.social
How can walking be a way to reflect and reconnect with faith?

Read more in our guide as we start looking ahead to the #BigLentWalk and explore the benefits of slowing down, reflecting and keeping hope alive. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/3YnSYJd
Walking in faith: Why walking is a chance to reflect
Discover how walking becomes a powerful spiritual practice during CAFOD's Big Lent Walk. Explore the connection between physical movement and faith reflection, and learn why putting one foot in front ...
cafod.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 9:46 AM
cafod.bsky.social
Pope Leo's message for the World Day of Peace encourages the international community to challenge how it understands security.

Our Director of Advocacy, Neil Thorns, spoke to Vatican News about this inspiring message and how hope endures. More. ⤵️

https://bit.ly/4aHCinh
Against the logic of war: History and hope define Realism as
As global conflict reaches levels unseen since the Second World War, Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the World Day of Peace challenges a war-centred ...
www.vaticannews.va
January 6, 2026 at 9:04 PM