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Caritas Luxembourg has been involved in supporting children and families affected by the war in Ukraine. However, in the wake of the embezzlement scandal, this aid is no longer guaranteed.
While Caritas Luxembourg activities are currently being phased out, some of their international projects are still ongoing, including one in Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine.
Here, children and families displaced by the war are currently receiving humanitarian aid, as well as psychosocial support to help primary school children adapt to their change in circumstances. The project also includes "child-friendly spaces", where the children can receive one-to-one or group support when needed. There are also workshops to promote creative activities with the children, in the hope of reducing the stress and pressures on them.
The project is organised by the local Caritas branch, and funded by Luxembourg's arm of the charity, as well as the government. However, the six-month contract is due to end in principle at the end of October. Fränz Jacobs, who is currently representing Caritas Luxembourg in Ukraine, says the locals are keen to see the project extended.
"In the four schools I've visited, people have repeatedly said they hope something more will come of it," Jacobs said. He admitted he had been avoiding giving a straight answer, instead explaining that he would need to see if there is progress in discussions with Luxembourg donors.
A career with Caritas
Jacobs is now 70 years old and has spent almost his entire professional career working for Caritas Luxembourg. Although he officially retired in 2015, he continues to carry out work for the charity, largely checking if projects financed by the Luxembourg arm are running as planned.
He told RTL he hopes a solution will be found in order to permit Caritas' international activities to continue. On Wednesday, Minister of Affairs and Cooperation Xavier Bettel announced his willingness to continue financing selected projects, but an organisation is required to effectively take over these projects.
A church without Caritas
Jacobs expressed his sadness at the dissolution of Caritas Luxembourg in the wake of the embezzlement scandal, after dedicating 30 years of his life to the charity. He said he was mostly distressed by the idea that the "valuable, high quality" work was at risk of being discontinued.
He also criticised the fact that the Luxembourg diocese had let Caritas fail in such a manner, saying "a church without Caritas is not a church." Jacobs believes a church has three pillars, Caritas representing one of them, and therefore a church could only function properly as long as the charity exists.
