What Does CAFOD Do? GCSE Religious Studies
What does CAFOD do? Learn how the Catholic charity responds to emergencies, tackles poverty and puts Christian beliefs into action for GCSE Religious Studies.
CAFOD (the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) is a Catholic charity that works with communities overseas to tackle poverty and respond to emergencies. It provides practical help, supports long-term projects and speaks out about the causes of poverty.
What does it do in practice?
When a disaster or conflict leaves people without essentials, CAFOD helps provide emergency support through local partners. This can include food, clean water and shelter. Its longer-term work helps communities improve their lives, for example by gaining reliable access to water or developing ways to earn a living. CAFOD also campaigns for changes to unfair systems and policies that contribute to poverty.
Working with local partners means supporting organisations and people who know what their communities need. The aim is not only to meet an immediate need but also to help people build a more secure future.
Why does this matter in Christianity?
CAFOD’s work is an example of Christians putting their beliefs into action. Jesus taught people to love their neighbours and care for those in need. Catholic teaching also emphasises the dignity of every person and a responsibility to stand alongside people who are poor or vulnerable. For many Catholics, giving to or supporting CAFOD is one way to act on those beliefs.
In a GCSE Religious Studies answer, make the link explicit: CAFOD’s emergency aid shows practical care for people in need, while its development and campaigning work address longer-term poverty. Then connect an action to a Christian belief, rather than simply listing what the charity does.
Common mistake: CAFOD does more than collect donations or provide short-term disaster relief. Remember its long-term development work and campaigning too.
