Today marks eight decades of the humanitarian organisation CARE standing with families facing crisis around the world. On November 27, 1945, 22 American civic, relief and other charitable organisations came together in New York City to launch the Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe, the organisation that would ultimately become the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere – CARE.
The mission of this group – supported by thousands of Americans from across the country – soon created an enduring symbol of hope: the original CARE PACKAGE®. Each box contained staples such as canned meat, powdered milk, sugar, butter, coffee, soap, blankets, tools, and chocolate. Millions of these packages, which began reaching families in Europe in 1946, offered not only food and essential supplies to those struggling from the devastating aftermath of World War 2, but also a clear message that they were not alone and forgotten.
Marlene Mahta, now 86, recalls life as a little girl in Frankfurt, Germany after the war and what the CARE PACKAGES her family received meant to her: “As a child, we had no residence. We had no food. We had no water. Suddenly, there was a distribution of CARE PACKAGES… I still remember the taste of the chocolate. I remember the feeling of being seen – of knowing that someone, somewhere, cared. That moment has stayed with me my entire life.”.
She added: “I want to acknowledge the 123 million people around the world who are displaced or living as refugees today—families still searching for safety, food, water, and a reason to hope. I am grateful that CARE has continued its tradition of the CARE PACKAGE and mission of caring for people around the world.”
Expanding geographically and establishing new ways of creating change
Since those first packages, CARE has grown into one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks, now operating in more than 100 countries. What began as postwar relief in Europe expanded into long-term development work. In addition to continuing to meet urgent needs during conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies. CARE’s mission over the decades grew to include food security, economic opportunity, stronger health systems, girls’ education, and climate resilience. In 2020, CARE also began working in the United States, launching programs focused on disaster relief, food insecurity, and maternal health.
CARE supports women and girls, recognising that when they have the resources and power to lead, whole communities benefit. And with more than 95 percent of staff hired locally and thousands of local partners worldwide, CARE ensures its work is community-led and sustainable.
CARE’s community-centered models, especially its Women’s Savings and Loan Groups, now over 30 million members strong, have strengthened livelihoods and local leadership across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
A year like no other
CARE’s 80th anniversary comes amid one of the most challenging humanitarian landscapes in recent memory. Conflicts, from Gaza to Sudan, have caused unthinkable violence and hunger. Global displacement has reached record levels. At the same time, drastic cuts in humanitarian and development funding from the US government have forced organisations to scale back programs and services.
Even in this difficult moment, CARE has seen extraordinary compassion and a steadfast will to keep caring. Private donors have helped unlock food and medicine when people needed it most, and teams worldwide continue to respond with resilience and unwavering dedication.
Innovation and collaboration for the future
To meet today’s needs, CARE is accelerating new forms of innovation and collaboration.
The organisation is expanding partnerships with peer organisations, the private sector, and individuals to optimise limited resources and expand reach. They are also deploying digital and AI tools to reach people faster and more effectively.
And this year, CARE revived one of its most iconic symbols: the CARE PACKAGE. Modern CARE PACKAGES for Emergencies can help a family of four meet their shelter, kitchen, water, and hygiene needs for an entire month. It combines light, customisable kits in a portable container that can be positioned ahead of time in areas prone to disasters.
Eight decades on, CARE’s mission remains rooted in a simple truth: when people choose to care about each other, suffering is alleviated and systemic change becomes possible.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact Briony FitzGerald on 0404 117 927
About CARE Australia
CARE Australia supports women around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We work in partnership with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women that they have long been denied: the ability to earn an income, gain access to their fair share of resources, to lead and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and to be able to withstand the increasing impacts of climate disasters and other crises. www.care.org.au
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