After Ukraine gained independence in 1991, the Greek-Catholic communities started the first Caritas organisations in Ukraine. Initially the work of the regional offices of Caritas in Ukraine focused on securing and distributing humanitarian aid to disadvantaged people.. Eventually, with time, the different needs of the communities encouraged Caritas in Ukraine to broaden the scope of its work. This led to the creation of the international charitable foundation Caritas Ukraine. In 1994 an Executive and Coordinating Centre was established in Lviv and a representative office was opened in Kyiv.

In 1999 Caritas Ukraine became a full-fledged member of Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Europa. The organisation adheres to the common mission of their activities and implements jointly coordinated national programs on providing social assistance to those in most need.

Today Caritas Ukraine consists of almost 20 organisations in eight regions of Ukraine. Nearly 1000 employees and volunteers are involved in our projects. In recent years the annual budget of Caritas Ukraine has amounted to € 1 million. 94-97% of this money comes from foreign donors.

For nearly 20 years Caritas Ukraine has focused on four main areas:

• Assistance to children, youth and families
• Health care
• Social problems of migration
• Assistance in crisis situations

Thanks to the considerable experience existing within Caritas Ukraine and its wide network of regional offices, Caritas Ukraine covers the needs of  several thousands of people across the country. Providing material and social aid, psychological support; counseling about and protection of their rights; assisting in reintegration processes.  Through this work, Caritas Ukraine contributes to providing vital social and economic changes in modern Ukraine, including the development of civil society in the country. On the global level we contribute to Caritas’ worldwide mission of combating poverty.