HUDEC-Caritas was established in 1972 by the late Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. B. Deogupillai ably assisted by

Rev. Fr. J.B. Thevaraja to manage an emergency situation at a time when the displaced came from the South due to ethnic violence. Immediate assistance in meeting basic needs and long term ‘settlement’ programmes were initiated.

Over three decades HUDEC-Caritas expanded activities to function as the social arm of the Jaffna Diocese under the Bishop of Jaffna, geographically covering the Districts of Jaffna (including off-shore Islands), Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, and the latter two districts known as the Vanni.

HUDEC-Caritas is a partner organisation of SEDEC (Social & Economic Development) Caritas – Sri Lanka, which is the main body of Caritas Organisations in Sri Lanka; which networks with 13 sister organisations of Caritas in each dioceses

We work with INGOO (International Non Government Organisations), LNGOO (Local Non Government Organisations) and Ministry of Relief & Rehabilitation of the Government of Sri Lanka).

HUDEC-Caritas mainly depends on the partner organisations/ funding agencies for the implementation of the projects or programmes, as it has not fund on its own. The total number of permanent staff in Jaffna & Vanni are 96. We carryout the work through our networking system of parish level, and local government officials (known as Grama Sevakar - GS), by the field staff, animators, peace animators, co-ordinators, youths, village people (on volunteer basis) and we reach the grass-root level people.