October 3, 2025
News
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which this year falls on the weekend of 4–5 October, serves as a reminder that migrants are not a threat, but rather a bridge between divided communities. The message of Pope Leo XIV, stating that “migrants are missionaries of hope and peace,” points the way towards solidarity and the building of a more cohesive society.
This year, as part of the Jubilee of Migrants and Missions, we commemorate the 111th anniversary of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. This jubilee invites us to reflect on the mission of migrants in the present day.
In a world darkened by war and injustice, even when all seems lost, migrants and refugees emerge as messengers of hope,
reminds Pope Leo XIV of the role of refugees and migrants.
The concrete experiences of the global Caritas network demonstrate that their faith and determination bring new impulses to local communities, whether in economic terms or through the enrichment of cultural and spiritual life.
We share the vision of Caritas Internationalis and strive to demonstrate that migration is not a threat, but an opportunity to build a fairer and more cohesive society. Our daily experience working with migrants confirms that, with appropriate support, they truly become builders of bridges between communities and bearers of hope.
Integration of migrants in the Czech Republic
Caritas Czech Republic has long supported the integration of migrants and refugees into Czech society. We provide social, legal and psychological counselling, language courses, and assistance in finding employment and housing. Thanks to a wide network of centres and integration services, individuals arriving from various countries are better able to navigate their new environment, acquire necessary skills, and gradually become self-sufficient. Caritas places emphasis on an individual approach and support not only for individuals but also for entire families, ensuring that integration proceeds as naturally as possible and with respect for their cultural roots. The assistance also includes free information hotlines in Ukrainian, Mongolian and Vietnamese, which offer practical advice and crisis support in the migrants’ native languages.
foto: Caritas direct material assistance to migrant and refugee families in need. (Caritas of the Diocese of České Budějovice)
Support abroad is equally important
Caritas also supports refugees and migrants abroad through humanitarian and development aid. Supporting refugees directly in the countries where they have settled or fled to helps stabilise the situation in the respective regions. Assistance to refugees is also an expression of solidarity and responsibility, with the Czech Republic acting as a country that contributes to solving global challenges. These are values close to Caritas, which focuses its efforts on refugees and migrants, particularly in three countries – Ukraine, Moldova and Zambia.
In Ukraine, Caritas assists people who have been forced to leave their homes due to war. Nearly four million people are displaced within the country. We have built four modular towns for evacuated residents and are improving conditions in accommodation centres. Attention is also given to people with disabilities – the reconstruction of accommodation facilities is tailored to their needs. We also support mental health. In September, we opened three mental health centres, with more to follow in Western Ukraine and the Dnipropetrovsk region. Additionally, we focus on education and training that help internally displaced persons regain their independence.
foto: Natalie’s family lost their home twice. Thanks to Caritas, they have now settled in the town of Berehovo.
In Moldova, we primarily assisted refugees following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Between 2022 and 2023, we supported more than 20,000 Ukrainian refugees. We provided food aid and distributed hygiene packages. We also focused on psychosocial support and shelter during the peak of the crisis. The impact of this assistance remains crucial for stabilising and restarting their lives.
In Zambia, Caritas Czech Republic has been providing assistance to refugees and migrants for over ten years. We support their education and entrepreneurship. Through scholarship programmes, more than 300 young refugees have obtained university education, and hundreds more have completed vocational courses. We help them establish small businesses, save money, and engage in local economies. We also invest in infrastructure – building workshops, libraries and centres that serve as places for education and integration.
foto: Judita left her native Burundi due to civil war and found refuge in the Meheba refugee settlement in northern Zambia in 2017.
Migration as a challenge and opportunity for a fairer world
Migrants play a significant economic role both in host countries and in their countries of origin, such as Colombia or Ecuador, where they invest in solidarity-based economies. Residents of oceanic islands threatened by climate change are forced to migrate. Migrants from these regions bring cultural richness and actively participate in community life in host countries.
Despite cultural differences, the international Caritas network and similar initiatives create a global effort to build a fairer society. Migration is associated with many challenges, such as forced deportation, human trafficking, and the spread of anti-migration rhetoric.
- The statement of Caritas Internationalis on the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees is available for download.
- You can find the full text of Pope Leo XIV's message here.
