Emergency missions: Catholic NGO transforms lives and leads hope to the most vulnerable in Peru

In the most vulnerable corners of Lima, where hunger and hopelessness seemed to have been permanently installed, a man who long ago rejected the Church today leads a silent revolution of solidarity.

Fabrizio Caciano, after 24 years away from faith, transformed his own conversion into “Emergency missions”, A Catholic NGO that not only feeds bodies in hospitals and hills, but also builds future leading to those who forgot society.

Its history is a living testimony of how faith in action can transform realities into a country where more than 17 million Peruvians face food insecurity.

Emergency missions, formed by volunteers from the Santa María Reina parish, in the Lima district of Miraflores, has been Recognized three times with the Metropolitan Prize on Volunteer In the category of religious organizations.

Caciano, leader of this initiative, told ACI Press that the foundation of this mission is deeply Catholic. “We transmit the faith we carry inside, and that also transforms those we serve,” he said.

In addition, he pointed out that a maxim follows on his way: “What belongs to God is from God. Trust, release, wait. Let yourself be surprised by the Lord”, Remembering that true transformation begins with delivery and faith in the divine Providence.

A path of conversion and service

Caciano, 55, began leading this initiative in 2016 after a long personal transformation process. Raised in a practicing Catholic family, he attended Mass regularly up to 18 years. However, the sudden death of his mother and the loss of his best friend in 1989 led him to move away from faith and reject the Church for 24 years.

While studying administration and specialized in marketing, he accidentally discovered his vocation for service. Through his fondness for making candles, he began working with the NGO Mundo Libreteaching children in street situations. His commitment led him to be director of the program Street educatorsworking with drug consuming children in the most vulnerable areas of Lima.

“What church do you want to be you?”

His return to faith was unexpected and happened in 2013, after a conversation with Marianist priest Víctor Müller. During that talk, Caciano tried to challenge the presbyter with controversial themes about the Church.

However, Müller’s response baffled him: “You may be right, but you can’t deny me that, at this time, in the Sierra del Perú, 4,000 meters high, there is someone carrying a message of solidarity, faith and hope for those who need it most.”

Then, the priest asked him a question that would mark it deeply: “What church do you want to be?” These words were recorded in their hearts and began their evangelizing mission.

Caciano admits that, from that moment, he began to attend Mass and, shortly after, he got involved in perpetual Eucharistic worship. He chose a difficult schedule because, for him, sacrifice is a fundamental part of growth. “The meek waters have never done good sailors,” said Aci Press.

Emergency doors: the first humanitarian aid project

Since 2016, every week, a group of young people and adults meet at night in the halls of the Santa María Reina parish to bring love and food to patients and family members in seven hospitals in Lima, relieving their needs with solidarity and closeness.

“The idea is to provide them with a snack and, above all, company, emotional support and help. They are people who face uncertainty, many times without having eaten or without money to return home. We want to be there for those who wait, with anguish,” said Caciano.

Thus was born the Emergency doors project, which has delivered to date more than 400,000 snacks in hospitals, and currently distribute 1,100 weekly breads.

“It is not just about giving a bread, but about looking into the eyes to those who are suffering, of accompanying them in their pain,” says Caciano.

In addition to this project, during the time of pandemic the initiative arose Emergency streets. “We are going to prepare food to take people who need it, to those who live in the streets, sleep in the streets and spend the weather during the winter,” he said.

In this project, some families in the Santa María Reina parish participate, which began to cook food to distribute in the center of Lima. At present, some 1,500 dinners are given per month.

He Informed of FAO 2024 He points out that 51.7% of Peruvians, around 17.6 million people, faces moderate or severe food insecurity. This makes Peru country with the highest food insecurity rate in South America.

Emergency pots: fighting hunger

Faced with this reality, initiatives such as Emergency pots They have been key to bringing help to those who need it most. During the Pandemia, Caciano and his team arrived in Villa María del Triunfo and, seeing dozens of families organizing common pots due to lack of food, they decided to act, supplying them with essential products.

“For a year and a half we gave them breakfast supplies,” says Caciano. “We saw children who had not eaten all day, desperate mothers looking for something for their children. We couldn’t stay with crossed arms,” ​​he adds.

This solidarity initiative grew rapidly and today continues to support hundreds of vulnerable families.

At present, thanks to an agreement with the Plaza Vea supermarket chain and in alliance with the prison pastoral of the Lurigancho penitentiary establishment, they manage to rescue three monthly tons of food to share with the common pots of the San Juan de Lurigancho district, one of the poorest areas of Lima.

Emergency classrooms: education for the most needy

Over time, emergency missions identified another urgent problem: the lack of access to education. During pandemic, many children were left without internet connection or tools to continue studying.

The solution emerged unexpectedly when a Fabrizio friend offered her a device that provided connection to 10 people. This is how the project was born Emergency classrooms.

“We have seen mothers who cry with joy because now their children can study. A mother told us: ‘My son wants to be an engineer, but he had no how to study. He now has the opportunity to do it,” says Caciano.

In alliance with Loyalty Bonus, the project has equipped 25 meeting points in Lima Sur, each with free access for one year, tablets and printers.

In addition, they have installed prefabricated modules in the upper parts of the hills of Lima Sur, allowing teachers to dictate face -to -face classes with official value. Thanks to this initiative, in 2022 they managed to insert 100 mothers of the pots common to the school system into their own communities.

The impact has continued to grow. In 2024, 200 mothers have resumed and completed their studies, and last year 60 women graduated from high school with official state certification. Currently, emergency classrooms has seven peripheral centers for the registration of beneficiaries in different areas of Lima, facilitating access to education for those who need it most.

A message of hope and faith

On the dissemination of his work, Caciano said that they are usually discreet in the communication of their actions due to their Catholic identity, although he recognized the importance of making himself known.

“We do much more than we show the world, while many publish more than they really do. We are present, working in silence. Humility is part of the work, but it is also necessary to make themselves known, because if people do not know about you, they cannot help,” he said.

Therefore, he invited those who wish to support the experience in person. “When someone here says: ‘How do I support you?’

Finally, reflecting on the path traveled, he reaffirmed that this work has been a call from God that has grown up to become a life mission for many. “We have changed lives, not only with what we give, but with what we share: hope, company and faith. And that transforms the heart,” he concluded.

To know more about emergency missions you can enter this link: misionesdeemergencia.org