The newly acquired wealth has been used to improve public sectors such as primary health care and agriculture. Because water and sanitation systems are extremely limited, the spread of communicable diseases is life threatening. Unfortunately, community based organizations that could potentially extend these basic services are very weak and have few resources. Recognizing that the majority of the population in Equatorial Guinea relies on subsistence farming, support to agricultural cooperatives is a main component of Catholic Relief Services programming.
Activities reach beneficiaries without regard to ethnicity, political orientations, or religion.
The ethnic composition of the beneficiaries consists of members of the Fang, Bubi, and Ndowe ethnic groups in addition to the country's minority groups such as Cumbi, Anabosese, Coriscenos, Benga, Ndowe, and Pygmy. The agency hopes to strengthen these structures which are providing vital contributions to basic needs in Equatorial Guinea. Catholic Relief Services also addresses issues of Catholic social teaching improving access to basic human needs. Agency projects aim to reduce the incidence of child mortality, which is most often associated with fecal contamination that causes diarrheal diseases.