The use of chemical weapons in Syria is a stark reminder of the appalling impact that the war is having on millions, says Catholic aid agency CAFOD.

Violence against women is one of the most widespread abuses of human rights around the world, says Tanja Haque, CAFOD’s Gender Advisor. Women and girls in every culture and society are affected by violence and the facts are appalling: acts of violence against women and girls cause more deaths than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined. The struggle against gender-based violence goes on across the world, and the Church can and must play its role in this.

Three years on from the Haiti earthquake the housing situation in the country is nothing short of catastrophic, say aid and human rights organisations.

African Catholic Church leaders who met in Kinshasa recently say escalating violence in the east of DR Congo is causing a major humanitarian tragedy.