The Caritas Annual Report shows our work in 2012 through five strategic priorities identified during the year: addressing poverty at home and abroad, responding to emergencies, upholding the dignity and rights of indigenous peoples, promoting environmental justice, and connecting effectively with our Catholic community.

Public donations topped $3 million last year, including a record Lent total of more than $900,000. We are grateful for the government’s New Zealand Aid Programme which contributed almost $1 million towards Caritas development and relief programmes.

The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGP), has provided funds amounting to 3,490,000 baht for the Project to Promote Integrated Farming and Product Processing for Income Generation in Phu Kradueng District, Loei Province. On completion of the project, the closing and handover ceremony was held on March 28, 2013, at the Bamboo furniture producing building, in Wangyang Village, Si Than Sub-District, Phu Kradueng District. Mr. Mitsugu Saito, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan, Mr.

Executive Summary - July to December 2012

ACTED launches South/Southeast Asia Regional Strategy 2013-2015

The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGP), is providing funds amounting to some 3,215,600 baht for the Project for Vocational Training to prepare Refugee for Return (VTRR). On January 28, 2013, H.E. Mr. Shigekazu SATO, Ambassador of Japan and Mr. Thomas Benton, Country Director of Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Thailand, will jointly sign the funding contract for the project at the Embassy of Japan.

Executive Summary

This Strategic Plan 2013-2017 opens up a new chapter for The Border Consortium, which was established in 1984 to respond to the needs of displaced people. It strives to respond to the changing political context in Burma/Myanmar and support evolving peace and reconciliation processes.

The organisation has changed its name to reflect a broadening scope of operations that supports the recovery of conflict-affected communities in South East Burma/Myanmar, and has adapted strategies to recognise the possibility of future refugee repatriation.

NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2012

After an intense year of natural disasters in 2011, countries in the Asia-Pacific region welcomed a reduction in the number of events in 2012. OCHA and the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters recorded 93 natural disaster events in 2012, in which over 3,200 people were killed and more than 75 million people were affected. China and the Philippines experienced the most disasters in 2012.

On 14 January 2013, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, presented a letter of intent to Mr. Chukwudi Newington Okafor, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Thailand, to donate 1 million THB (or approximately 32,425.42 USD) as financial contribution to help alleviate flood crisis in Nigeria.

09 January 2013, Bangkok – The Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) has received a grant of 24 Mill. THB from the European Union Delegation in Thailand to provide refugees from Myanmar with technical vocational skills development.