CARE Canada

Nelson Mandela taught us about equality and justice. This Nelson Mandela Day, we're so grateful to work alongside communities and partners around the world to save lives, fight poverty and achieve social justice.

How do we do this? We put women and girls at the centre of all we do! Because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We understand the root causes of poverty to find innovative, locally-led solutions.

When women everywhere have what they need to live safe and healthy lives, when they have dignified work, when they can claim the leadership opportunities they deserve, they make the world a better, more equal place for EVERYONE.

Want to join a dedicated team supporting women and girls around the world? We have some exciting new job opportunities:

🟠 Senior Manager, Grants Finance and Compliance
🟠 Manager, Philanthropy
🟠 Manager, Grants Finance and Compliance
🟠 Payroll and HR Specialist

Apply today! https://can241.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/carecanada

We’re proud to be a member of Canada’s Humanitarian Coalition/ Coalition Humanitaire 🙌

Check out our latest Annual Report to see how your support helped save lives and strengthen resilience around the world. ⬇️

📊🌍 We're excited to share our Annual Report 2023! Discover how we've made a difference in 2023.
�https://www.humanitariancoalition.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/HC_Annual_Report_2023_EN.pdf

💧 Water. Without it, life cannot exist. Many of us are lucky to be able to get a drink or wash by turning on a tap in our home. Many more have a much harder journey to get water that may not be safe to use or drink.

It might seem like a simple thing, but water can make a huge difference in someone's life. Having it close by means women and girls don't have to leave home and risk their safety—spending the time instead learning, earning, or playing. It means staying healthy and preventing the spread of disease. It means being able to grow nutritious food to eat and sell. Water truly does mean life.

Samira lives with her family in a camp for displaced people in northwest Syria.

One of the biggest problems the family faced was access to fresh, clean water. Thanks to support from CARE and our wonderful local partner, منظمة شفق Shafak Organization, the family received a freshwater tank.

🌿 "The freshwater tank is very important to us and our situation has improved significantly since then. I was even able to plant a small garden."

🧡 Next time you take a sip, take a shower, wash your hands or clothes, or water your garden, take a moment of gratitude. And maybe even consider giving the gift of water to a family in need.

📷: CARE Germany

"My message to the world is to intervene to end this war. We are tired and fed up, we are unable to withstand more than we already have anymore. Our patience has run out, we can’t do this anymore. Show some mercy on these babies, they can’t live in this place."

Yasmeen shares what giving birth to her triplets in Gaza was like and the difficulties of caring for them while living in a warzone.

Giving birth to triplets in Gaza: Yasmeen’s story - CARE Canada Yasmeen’s joy at conceiving after nine years of IVF was short-lived when war broke out in Gaza shortly after she became pregnant. The terror of giving birth to a baby in a warzone is unimaginable – for Yasmeen, multiplied even further when she found out she was expecting triplets. Yasmeen tells ...

“Haiti is dying. Regarding security, regarding food. We need to find a way to help the families at least have access to food.”

Guerda Previlon and her organization, Initiative pour le Developpement des Jeunes (IDEJEN), have been working tirelessly to support people in Haiti who are living through the current violence.

Supported by CARE, IDEJEN helps displaced families at about 20 sites in Port-au-Prince. She shares what's happening, what is needed and how she stays hopeful.

Haiti: What’s happening now and how you can help - CARE Canada In Haiti, Guerda Previlon and her organization, Initiative pour le Developpement des Jeunes (IDEJEN), are helping people affected by the current violence. She describes the situation, what support is needed, and what brings her hope.

It’s estimated that over 1.7 million people have been displaced in . That’s equal to the population of and combined.

Behind every statistic is a human story.

Real People. Real Stories. Real Voices from Gaza.

“No one is suffering more in this war than those who have yet to utter their first word. (…) The situation is simply unbearable, unjustifiable and needs to stop immediately,” says Hiba Tibi, Country Director for CARE in the West Bank and Gaza.

“Infectious diseases, lack of food and clean water, and the ongoing bombardment are a lethal cocktail for children’s health,” says Dr. Umaiyeh Khammash.

“I am very tired. I mean, a pregnant woman is naturally tired during pregnancy while she is in her own home, let alone when she lives on the sand with life like it currently is,” says 30-year-old mother Haneenn, who has been displaced 5 times since October 2023.

“Our prenatal service point is based in the sand,” says Dr. Ragab. “We need to be in the camp to be closer to the women and relieve pressure on the hospital.”

Working with global partners like UNFPA and CARE Canada, Canada supports humanitarian assistance in Gaza.


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"Children’s drawings hang on the wall in the hallway. Here the children can process their trauma through different activities, like art. There are still the same drawings as two years ago. Then one picture catches my eye and I remember the story that an employee of our partner organization, Aleksandra (name changed for safety) told me about it at the time..."

Read CARE Germany National Director, Karl-Otto Zentel's reflections after visiting a shelter for displaced people in Lviv, Ukraine: https://care.ca/2024/06/20/the-story-of-a-drawing-from-ukraine/

CARE.Ukraine CARE Deutschland e.V.

The story of a drawing from Ukraine - CARE Canada Recently CARE Canada's President and CEO Barbara Grantham, along with CARE Germany's National Director, Karl-Otto Zentel, visited a shelter for displaced people in Lviv, Ukraine. The visit inspired Mr. Zentel to recall memories and stories of his visits to Ukraine.

“Every night before I go to sleep, I think about how much I want to return to my country, Syria. When will that be? Only God knows, but surely one day I will return,” says Kholoud, sitting in the living room of her home in Türkiye, where she has been living for the past eight years.

Kholoud has has to leave her home several times. The first time to the city of Al-Hasakah, then to Deir ez-Zor, and then to Damascus, only to leave for Türkiye—which hosts more than 3.5 million refugees.

"Despite the difficulties, today, I want to send a message to my children first but also everyone else who will read this. Listen to me. Tomorrow will be more beautiful, we will recover, we will all cooperate, and the future ahead of us is bright. We can challenge the difficulties and the hard reality of the war; we can do it. Just remember that the future is still ahead of us. We can still succeed, and with our lives, we will tell the whole world that we, the Syrians, made it and we are still here. And that applies to all refugees out there. “

Kholoud volunteers with CARE to raise awareness in her community about women's rights, the risks of child labour and early marriage, and influence people to ensure the continuous education of their children.

📷: Tarek Satea/CARE CARE Syria Response

To achieve real and lasting progress in our fight for gender equality, we need men and boys.

This Fathers Day, we say thank you to all the dads and father-figures for all they do to lift up those around them and contribute to a better world for all.

Joanina and Martinho, pictured here, show us what that looks like! While Joanina is leading one of the local farm groups in her village in Timor-Leste, Martinho looks after their three children.

CARE in Timor-Leste works with local farmers groups to increase agricultural production AND address between women and men farmers by:

🧡 Challenging gender norms
🧡 Promoting equitable workloads
🧡 Advocating for women to have decision-making power in the household and community

📸: Sarah Wiles/CARE

CARE works to save lives, fight poverty, and achieve social justice around the world.

When we work with partners across sectors and backgrounds who share our vision and care deeply for our shared human family, we can save more lives, find creative long-term solutions and build a better world for all of us.

Thanks to support from Canadians in 2023, we supported 52 projects and initiatives in 28 countries, working across four main areas:

⚕️ Supporting her health
🧡 Promoting her safety
💰 Investing in her livelihood
🤝 Saving lives and building resilience in emergencies

We put women and girls at the centre of all we do because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities.

When women everywhere have what they need to live safe and healthy lives, when they have dignified work, when they can claim the leadership opportunities they deserve, they make the world a better, more equal place for EVERYONE.

When we invest in women anywhere, amazing things happen everywhere! Join us at https://care.ca/ 🙌

📷: CARE Internacional en Honduras

Around the globe, as many as 828 million people go hungry; 7.76 million of them live in . The South Sudan total is roughly equivalent to the population of , and combined.

“Hunger has become routine for people in my community,” explains Agany. “Children no longer cry: they have become accustomed to hunger.”

For years, farmers like Agany relied on the rainy season, from May to November, to grow their crops and feed their families. However, the recent cycles of flooding and drought have resulted in a state of acute food insecurity for many.

The Fortifying Equality and Economic Diversification for Resilience II (FEED II) project, a partnership between World Vision Canada, CARE Canada, War Child Canada and the Government of Canada, continues to help families grow nutritious food throughout the dry season. The project aims to provide training to both women and male farmers on strategies to grow vegetables near rivers, as well as on seed-transferring techniques.

“This farm has provided us with food and income and also the opportunity to learn from each other and work alongside men in the fight against hunger,” states Agany.

Learn more: https://www.wvi.org/stories/south-sudan/vegetable-farms-south-sudan-bring-men-and-women-together-healthier-families-and

World Vision International

CARE

"I still remember when I decided to become a humanitarian aid worker. Growing up under occupation, I grew up amid despair. More than anything I wanted to help my community; to help my people in Gaza during times of crisis and conflict.

Now, almost 7 months after the war in Gaza escalated, I am looking back at what is currently the most difficult time of my life—as an aid worker, as a husband, as a father of five children and as a citizen of Gaza."

Saaed has worked for CARE since 2009. He is currently working as CARE’s Emergency Coordinator in Gaza. He shares his experience as an aid worker, father and husband during the hardest time of his life.

CARE Palestine - West Bank/Gaza

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A day in the life of an aid worker in Gaza - CARE Canada Saaed, 40, has worked for CARE since 2009. He is currently working as CARE’s Emergency Coordinator in Gaza. In this blog, he talks about being an aid worker, father, and husband during the hardest time of his life.

It's the last day of May and the end of Legacy Giving Month. 🤝

Leaving a gift in your will is a big decision and it can seem complicated, so let's break down some common myths ❌ and facts ✔️!

Learn how your legacy can be one of a more just world for all—where women and girls lead too, where inequality and injustice is overcome.

🔗 Find out more and access free resources at: https://care.ca/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/

How do we end period stigma and ensure people who get their period feel safe, healthy, and supported? We call it what it is. Period.

Today on Menstrual Hygiene Day we recognize the women and girls, the partners and communities who rally together to create a more for all. Through education, sustainable resources, sensitization, and access to services we can reduce period poverty and end shame.

Be part of the conversation:

Call it what it is. Period. - CARE Canada Together we are working towards a period-friendly world, tackling stigma and engaging communities so we can reduce period poverty and shame and ensure people who get their period feel safe, healthy and supported.

Around the world, young people are missing out on school, work and social activities due to preventable barriers accessing menstrual products!

In a Canadian study, 70% of youth under the age of 25 reported missing these essential activities because of their period. In Uganda, where SHE SOARS* is reaching youth with S*xual and Reproductive Health information and services, young women and girls are taking action to overcome similar challenges.

In Imvepi refugee settlement, girls’ and boys' groups participated in training sessions and learned how to make reusable pads using sanitary, locally available materials. They’re excited to take charge of their menstrual needs and empower themselves to participate in the activities they love. Across the SHE SOARS project, girls and boys are learning about menstrual health, shifting community norms, and developing skills to combat period poverty.

Help break the period stigma by celebrating the efforts of young people like the girls’ group in Imvepi and share your stories of change!

📣 Find out more and be part of the conversation—and the solution!
➡️ care.ca/period

*SHE SOARS, funded by Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada, is the S*xual and reproductive Health and Economic empowerment Supporting Out-of-school Adolescent girls’ Rights and Skills project.

📸 Sandra Sally Amony/CARE Uganda

Source: United Nations Population Fund, Plan International Canada
CARE Zambia CARE International in Uganda CARE-International Kenya Youth Coalition for S*xual and Reproductive Rights Center for Reproductive Rights Restless Development

Most period products are single-use and take a long time to degrade—100 Cuban women leaders and activists are looking to change that!

They gathered, along with CARE and its partners, to understand the far-reaching benefits of reusable period products and to participate in training and workshops. They then took that information back to their communities to spread awareness.

This approach of combining health, women’s rights and the environment is at the heart of CARE’s actions.

‼️ Learn more about these incredible leaders, the impacts of the workshops, and how reusable period products are good for your health, your finances, and the environment!

CARE en Cuba
Embajada Rebirth / Tercer Paraíso Cuba

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Cuba: the impact of reusable period pads on the economy, health and the environment - CARE Canada 100 Cuban women leaders and activists gathered, along with CARE and its partners, to understand the far-reaching benefits of reusable period products.

Pads, tampons, menstrual cups, period underwear. These are some of the things people use when on their periods.

What if you suddenly didn't have access to any of that? What would you use?

Access to period products and care is an added challenge for those who have their period in war zones.

In emergencies, CARE and our partners distribute hygiene and dignity kits that contain things like pads, towels, soap, shampoo, laundry powder, toothpaste and toothbrushes, wipes and disinfectant.

Everyone deserves access to period products and care. Period.

📣 Find out more and be part of the conversation—and the solution! care.ca/period

Have you ever been worried about being able to afford menstrual products? If so, you’re not alone.

Many young Canadians experience period poverty, meaning they either struggle to afford products like pads and menstrual cups, or can’t access them at all. This barrier is even greater for marginalized groups like remote Indigenous communities, where 73% of menstruators reported having a hard time accessing period products.

It’s no secret that periods can be an uncomfortable topic for many, but this stigma makes it easy to sweep inequalities under the rug. In Canada and around the world, people need equal access to menstrual products that affect their health and lives!

So what can we do to combat period poverty and break the stigma? Organizations like The Period Purse are working to provide Canadians with inclusive, comprehensive information on menstrual health and period products to those who need them.

You can help by speaking up about your menstrual health experiences and raising awareness of our common challenges. This World Menstrual Health Day, think about what action you can take and let us know in the comments!

➡️ Visit care.ca/period to learn more!

👀 Stay tuned for more posts from the Youth Public Engagement Champions.

*SHE SOARS, funded by Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada, is the S*xual and reproductive Health and Economic empowerment Supporting Out-of-school Adolescent girls’ Rights and Skills project.

Sources: Plan International Canada and House of Commons Canada.

CARE Zambia CARE International in Uganda CARE-International Kenya Restless Development Youth Coalition for S*xual and Reproductive Rights Center for Reproductive Rights

Have you ever considered the relationship between your period and attending school?

Many girls around the world are not able to attend school while on their period due to limited or no access to clean water and washrooms, lack of period-safe products and strong stigma.

The good news is this can change!

One way CARE and our partners are working towards a period-positive education system is by:
🧡Raising awareness among students, parents and communities about periods and hygiene
🧡Showing that having your period is natural and nothing to be made to feel bad about
🧡Installing suitable washrooms and water access points
🧡Training local seamstresses on how to make washable pads

📣 Find out more and be part of the conversation—and the solution!

Girls’ education matters. Period. - CARE Canada Within the community of Sakaivo Nord, in the Amoron'i Mania region in Madagascar, menstruation was stigmatized and surrounded by a strong taboo. Periods were seen as something “dirty.”

‼️ Periods don’t stop during a conflict or disaster.

How would you manage your period if you immediately had to leave your home? If your home, school, business was destroyed? If you didn’t have any money?

Farah (name changed for safety) is a 27-year-old business administration graduate whose second child was born just before the current conflict in Gaza and the region. She is currently in Rafah, where she and another 1.9 million civilians have had to leave their homes.

CARE and our partners are working towards a period-positive world, tackling stigma and engaging communities so we can reduce period poverty and shame and ensure people who get their period feel safe, healthy and supported. In emergencies, we distribute hygiene and dignity kits that contain things like pads, towels, soap, shampoo, laundry powder, toothpaste and toothbrushes, wipes and disinfectant.

We work to change hearts and minds by talking about periods openly. Not just with women and girls, but with their families and communities, which include men and boys.

📣 Find out more and be part of the conversation—and the solution!—by clicking the link in our bio or visiting care.ca/period

We have the privilege of working alongside people and partners around the world to build a period-positive world. This means tackling stigma and engaging communities so we can reduce period poverty and shame and ensure people who get their period feel safe, healthy and supported.

Meet Alice, who participated in a course in Uganda around period support. She chatted with CARE and our partner organization, WoMena, about some of her experiences and challenges with menstruation and how she and her family have overcome them. CARE International in Uganda

Breaking the cycle of period poverty: Alice's story - CARE Canada Every month, 1.8 billion people around the world have their period. Still, many people can't access period products, services, and information. This is period poverty. Meet Alice who is working to change this in her community.

🤔 What are some of the terms you've used or heard someone use to describe having their period?

According to Women and Gender Equality Canada, 1 in 5 Canadians agree that periods should not be publicly discussed. One in 6 have experienced period poverty. With the stigma and lack of affordable resources in Canada, imagine what it's like in other parts of the world?

When people don’t have safe and effective means of managing their period or when they experience teasing, exclusion and shame, they may miss school, work or other activities. That’s half of society being sidelined simply because their basic human rights are ignored.

📣 How do we change this? We CALL IT WHAT IT IS. PERIOD.

🧡 Together, CARE and our partners are working towards a period-positive world, tackling stigma and engaging communities so we can reduce period poverty and shame and ensure people who get their period feel safe, healthy and supported. This doesn't just benefit people who get their period, but EVERYONE.

Learn more and join the conversation!

Call it what it is. Period. - CARE Canada Together we are working towards a period-friendly world, tackling stigma and engaging communities so we can reduce period poverty and shame and ensure people who get their period feel safe, healthy and supported.

📢 Engaging youth in the decisions that affect their lives!

Organizations like the S*x Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) are finding out what Canadian youth have to say about their experiences with s*xual health education.

In a recent study, SIECCAN found that Canadian youth (aged 16-24) want s*x ed that is:

- Balanced
- Respects diversity
- Promotes gender equality
- Includes positive aspects of s*xuality

Findings like this are used to develop guidelines and resources for educators, policymakers and professionals. Young people can also use the data to amplify their collective voice and advocate for their needs!

To learn more, check out our episode of the SHE SOARS* podcast featuring SIECCAN ➡️ https://bit.ly/3WKJSXc

*SHE SOARS, funded by Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada, is the S*xual and reproductive Health and Economic empowerment Supporting Out-of-school Adolescent girls’ Rights and Skills project.

Source: SIECCAN

CARE Zambia CARE International in Uganda CARE-International Kenya Restless Development Youth Coalition for S*xual and Reproductive Rights Center for Reproductive Rights