On Tuesday 6 August 2024, Caritas Luxembourg provided an update on the crisis situation it currently faces, following the embezzlement of €61 million at the non-profit organisation.
Caritas recalled that a crisis committee was established on 28 July 2024, "in view of the crisis affecting the Caritas Luxembourg foundation and Caritas Accueil et Solidarité Asbl". This crisis committee is chaired by Christian Billon and is supported from an operational point of view by PwC Luxembourg.
The objective of this crisis committee is "to take all necessary measures to continue the activities of the entities and to restore trust with all stakeholders". To ensure this, the crisis committee, with the approval of the Boards of Directors, has decided to create two new structures that can accommodate activities and employees, namely: a new entity taking over all national activities; a new entity taking over all activities related to international cooperation.
Caritas explained that the modalities for creating these structures and the resumption of all agreements would be defined "in the coming days" and presented to all stakeholders. These entities will remain part of the international Caritas network.
The cited objective of these entities is to resume activities and employees' work in September 2024 in structures that will "benefit from the trust of donors and the general public", leaving Caritas Luxembourg and Caritas Accueil et Solidarité Asbl to "finalise the necessary investigations".
Caritas added that Christian Billon is currently in "constructive" discussions with Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, on the continuation of activities that will allow, through these two new structures, "a rapid return to stability" for employees and beneficiaries.
Caritas assured that it would update its employees "in the coming weeks" and that salaries for the month of August would be paid and transfers made in collaboration with employees.
