July, 2017		Photo Exhibition about the work of JRS around the world On 28th June, the central building of the Catholic University of Uruguay welcomed the opening ceremony of the photo exhibit “Accompany, Defend and Serve: an approach to the work of Jesuit Refugee Service”. The exhibit, which consisted of 36 photographs and 4 large-scale graphics, collected images from the fieldwork of JRS in the five continents. Read More >>>

July, 2017		Shoulder to Shoulder with Refugees The Uganda Solidarity Summit was convened on 22-23 June 2017 at the initiative of Uganda's president Yoweri K. Museveni and the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi, to discuss about how to support Uganda respond humanely and in sustainable way to one of the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world. Read More >>>

July, 2017		Building self-reliance and promoting the inclusion of those with disabilities in Kakuma Refugee camp Elizabeth Wanjiku has been the coordinator of the JRS Special Needs department in Kakuma refugee camp since January 2017. One of the principles that guide JRS’s work with people with special needs is the conviction that each person has potential. Through a personalized program of formation designed specifically for people with special needs, JRS staff are discovering how they can tap into this potential, to nurture and develop it. Elizabeth walks us through this process and explains how the department helps the beneficiaries integrate into society after they have left the program. Read More >>>

June, 2017		World Refugee Day Celebrations in Nairobi The World Refugee Day was observed in various parts of the world on Tuesday June 20 2017. In Kenya, the occasion was marked nationally at the graduation grounds of the University of Nairobi, under a mildly sunny sky. The overall atmosphere was undoubtedly different from a year ago when the annual event was transformed into a sad trading of aggrieved declarations between refugees, human rights activists and the humanitarian community on the one hand and the Kenyan government on the other, following the latter’s announcement a month earlier that it would close Dadaab, then the largest refugee camp in the world. One year down the line, the government position has softened significantly, although it remains committed to the voluntary repatriation program of Somali refugees. Read More >>>

April, 2017		Giving a second chance to girls in South Sudan The phenomenon of child marriages is widespread in South Sudan where 52% and 9% of girls below 18 and 15 years respectively are married. This denies such girls the chance to continue with their education, thus severely limiting their future opportunities. However, a few of them do return to school and easily blend in with the other children. Read More >>>

March, 2017		South Sudan: Healing Hands I am Mariam Luma, one of the thirteeen (13) home visitors for JRS Maban (South Sudan) whose work is to visit and accompany persons with disabilities in Doro Refugee Camp and in the host community in their homes. Read More >>>

February, 2017		I AM A REFUGEE I am REFUGEE, captive and prisoner to wars and destruction of the world. Read More >>>

February, 2017		Ethiopia: Keeping hope in the children Mai Aini, 10 February 2017 – Osmaan* has spent his entire life building from the ground up. Born into a farming family in what used to be northern Ethiopia, he later moved to Sudan, working for American oil companies, digging to the depths of Sudan’s oil fields.  Read More >>>

January, 2017		Uganda: Understanding their needs, ensuring their education Kampala, 11 January 2017 - Isaac Ijjo's life always straddled a border. Once a refugee in former Sudan in the 1980's, he later returned to Uganda to assist in the JRS response to Sudanese refugees in the 2000s. Read More >>>

December, 2016		Uganda: A joint appeal to end violence in South Sudan Kampala, 16 December 2016 - On the third anniversary of the outbreak of violence in South Sudan in December 2013, the Government of Uganda Office of the Prime Minister, six UN agencies and eleven humanitarian organisations in Uganda are appealing to the world to bring an end to the suffering of the South Sudanese people. Read More >>>

November, 2016		Artists in motion paint for a more inclusive world Mai Aini, 18 November 2016 – When Filmon feels lonely or upset, he hides himself in an art studio in Mai Aini refugee camp in Ethiopia. He is one of 50 painters of all ages who come to express themselves in JRS art classes where they illustrate multi-faceted issues of displacement – from persecution to flight; dangerous journeys to their hopes and dreams. Read More >>>

November, 2016		Global: bringing light to the child migrants in our midst Rome, 17 November 2016 – On the occasion of Universal Children's Day on November 20th, we echo Pope Francis' appeal "to adopt every possible measure to guarantee the protection and safety of child migrants." In this time of epic human displacement, "children constitute the most vulnerable group, because as they face the life ahead of them, they are invisible and voiceless". Read More >>>

November, 2016		Kakuma: psychosocial care for vulnerable children Kakuma, 17 November – Children in the context of a refugee camp, an urban setting, or any other location around the world fall into a category of individuals who are extremely vulnerable. Simply looking at their status in the world will identify that. Read More >>>

November, 2016		Kakuma: the yearning to affirm life Kakuma, 1 November 2016 – The sprawling refugee camp of Kakuma in Kenya is amongst the top 10 largest in the world. Children, teenagers, women and men can live there for many years. At the same time new asylum seekers, mostly from South Sudan, continue to arrive in great need of assistance. The Jesuit Refugee service (JRS) is there on the ground to help. Read More >>>

October, 2016		JRS Eastern Africa on Europe’s role in migration, development and social justice Berlin, 20 October 2016 – Beyond the so-called "refugee crisis" in Europe, countries bordering conflict around the world are under increasing pressure to care for people on the move. Attempts by policymakers to respond to refugees in a coordinated and dignified way have never been more important in order to ensure that the rights refugees are upheld. Read More >>>

October, 2016		VIDEO - Artists in Motion, art for change Mai Aini, 17 October 2016 – Before becoming refugees, Filmon, Luwam, Naomi and Mebrahtu were dancers, painters, actors and artists. They fled Eritrea with a few possessions and their talents. Today they live in a refugee camp in northern Ethiopia where they give back to their community through art as they await a better future. Read More >>>

September, 2016		Global: One Human Family, One Voice, No Human Trafficking Abuja, 23 September 2016 - The Jesuit Refugee Service stands with Catholic organizations and faith leaders from around the world to condemn modern day slavery in all its forms. Following the call of the 2014 declaration of Pope Francis and other faith leaders on eradicating modern slavery by 2020, hundreds of Catholic activists came together in Abuja, Nigeria this month to reaffirm and commit to collaboration and common action aiming atpreventing and eradicating the scourge of human trafficking and exploitation of human beings and upholding human dignity. Read More >>>

September, 2016		Refugee summits must provide access to education for all displaced children Washington DC, 7 September 2016 —The Global Campaign for Education – US, a broad-based coalition of more than 80 members, including Jesuit refugee Service/USA, dedicated to ensuring universal quality education for all children, urges the United Nations, the U.S. Government and world leaders to accelerate progress towards universal access to education for displaced children. Read More >>>

September, 2016		Artists in Motion: a photo story of a journey Mai Aini, 7 September 2016 – While in limbo in Ethiopian camps, young Eritrean refugees are using their artistic talents to illustrate journeys of people on the move, which often turn out to be journeys of peril and trauma.  Read More >>>

September, 2016		Ethiopia: Artists in Motion takes viewers on a journey of displacement Nairobi, 5 September 2016 – Millions of refugees are isolated from the rest of the world and as a result their daily routine becomes mundane and their talents are often squandered. Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, however, have found ways to let their talents shine – creating dozens of paintings through a Jesuit Refugee Service Fine Arts class. Read More >>>

September, 2016		Ethiopia: refugees create global conversations with art Mai Aini, 6 September 2016 – Between two mountain ranges in northern Ethiopia, dozens of young Eritrean refugees are splattered in paint. They spend their days expressing their longing for lost loved ones, traumatic memories of persecution and stories of family and friends who have taken perilous journeys across deserts and seas in symbolic artwork. Read More >>>

September, 2016		Global: JRS and Caritas Internationalis respond to UN Summit Outcome Document Our organisations welcome the outcome document to be adopted on 19 September 2016 as an important step towards the global governance of migration and development. We have long called for a people-centred, human rights and dignity approach to internal and international migrants and refugees. We welcome the focus on respecting the rights of all migrants and a shared responsibility for refugee reception. Read More >>>

August, 2016		Kenya: helping staff and refugees self-heal from trauma 25 August 2016, Nairobi – For communities living in conflict, cycles of violence pervade their everyday lives. For many refugees, escaping that trauma and healing psychological scars are incredibly difficult, but are just as important as securing food, medicines and a safe place to stay. Read More >>>

August, 2016		Eastern Africa: staff honoured on World Humanitarian Day 19 August 2015, Nairobi – JRS staff around the world accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees around the world. Teams of local, refugee and international staff consistently stand with people as they try to build their new lives abroad. Please take a minute to get to know a handful of our team members and learn why they have dedicated their careers and ministries to working with the displaced. Read More >>>

August, 2016		Ugandan sister shares her tale of triumph on World Humanitarian Day Kampala, 19 August – This World Humanitarian Day, the Jesuit Refugee Service honors Sister Hellen. As a child she suffered the consequence of conflict in northern Uganda and lived as a refugee throughout her childhood. Today she prepares thousands of refugees to start their lives over in Kampala, Uganda by teaching them English. Read More >>>

July, 2016		A fragile South Sudan threatens the lives, health, homes and education of millions Nairobi, 28 July 2016 – The Jesuit Refugee Service is deeply concerned of the fragile state of affairs in South Sudan after fighting re-erupted and killed nearly 300 civilians in the capital Juba more than two weeks ago. Read More >>>

July, 2016		South Sudan: Violence Fuels Humanitarian Crisis Juba, 28 July, 2016 – South Sudan faces a spiralling humanitarian crisis as the recent surge in fighting prevents aid agencies from providing urgent help to millions of people in need. Violence and insecurity continue in Juba and are spreading to other states despite a fragile ceasefire in a country where half the population relies on humanitarian aid, ten aid agencies warned today. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Uganda: sketches, colours, patterns, and a new life Kampala, 19 July 2016 – As a young girl, Agnes fled a notorious Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army, but through educational opportunities she was able to pursue her passion for fashion. She now gives back to refugees as the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) fashion and design teacher in Kampala – where they work to be self-reliant. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Ethiopia: dancers bring rhythm to their lives in exile Mai Aini, 20 July 2016 – Luwam was once at the centre of her nation's spotlight. In Asmara, as a member of the national dance team, she performed for government officials and her fellow citizens at national celebrations, receiving cheers and accolades for her captivating talent. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Kenya: Somali refugees struggle in the shadow of forced return, a Refugees Deeply feature Nairobi, 27 June 2016 – Angela Wells, JRS Eastern Africa Communications Officer, writes for Refugees Deeply on the devastating consequences of the Kenyan government's newest restrictions on refugees. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Uganda: a rising rap star advocates for a welcoming world Kampala, 5 July 2016 - As a teenager, Alino dreamed of being a hip hop artist in Congo, where music is the pulse of the country. But like many young people, family demands and expectations that Alino pursue a more stable career put his dreams on hold while he studied petroleum chemistry in a prestigious Congolese university. Never did Alino think that he'd be a rising rap star, and never did he dream it would be while living in exile in Kampala, Uganda. Read More >>>

July, 2016		VIDEO: Emmylou Harris shines a light on refugee crisis Mai Aini, 13 July 2016 – In June 2016, Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Emmylou Harris visited several of the JRS projects in Ethiopia. Jesuit Refugee Service works with urban refugees in Addis Ababa. In the north, JRS has programs for Eritrean refugees in the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps. In the south, JRS serves refugees from Somalia in Melkadida and Kobe camps. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Kakuma: space to be free, space to learn Kakuma, 7 July 2016 – When people flee from war or persecution, daily stresses of life are multiplied. Not only do parents have to worry about feeding their children but also moving them on dangerous routes to safety. Students strive to excel in school often while inadequately nourished in harsh environments. Those with mental health concerns or disabilities are even further disadvantaged. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Rome: the Jesuit Refugee Service International presents its 2015 Annual Report Rome, 8 July 2016 – In 2015, the Jesuit Refugee Service reaffirmed its commitment to education with the Global Education Initiative and the launch of the Mercy in Motion campaign. Last year, JRS served 724,551 people, 141,333 through education projects. Recognising education is a concrete and durable solution to build more resilient communities, JRS aims to increase this number by 100,000 people by 2020. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Investing in the Future: Education in Emergencies Cannot Wait (Washington, D.C.) July 7, 2016 — Jesuit Refugee Service operates education programming in more than 38 countries serving more than 141,000 refugees and displaced persons. JRS has observed that education provides stability and a sense of normalcy, and acts as a form of vital psychosocial support to youth whose lives have been affected by crisis. Read More >>>

July, 2016		Ethiopia: Eritrean refugee faces challenges with grace Addis Ababa, 5 July 2016 -- Selam Gebru is an Eritrean refugee who fled her homeland seeking safety eight years ago. A single mother of an autistic child, Selam holds two university degrees. She spoke with JRS about the challenges she faces as a refugee, and the long road to a hoped for resettlement to the United States. ? Read More >>>

July, 2016		JRS celebrates refugees in Kenya Kenya, 5 July 2016 In June the Jesuit Refugee Service in Kenya celebrated the positive contributions and talents that ??refugees bring to their communities in both Kakuma refugee camp and Nairobi, Kenya?. Read More >>>

June, 2016		VIDEO: World Refugee Day 2016 -- open minds, unlock potential Rome, 20 June 2016 – As human beings, we are at the mercy of nature, at the mercy of governments, at the mercy of leaders, at the mercy of war. We are at the mercy of forces beyond our control. These forces have caused an unprecedented 60 million people  – mothers, fathers, sisters and children – to flee their homes. Imagine the entire country of Italy in motion: taking trucks, rafts, footpaths and trains; taking children, blankets, clothing and, most often, taking nothing. Read More >>>

June, 2016		World Refugee Day: ‘No situation is permanent’ (Washington, D.C.) June 20, 2016) – Malith Chan entered the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya at age 14 after fleeing horrific violence in his native South Sudan. But with the help of Jesuit Refugee Service he was able to further his education. Malith, now 19, has a new life in Phoenix and aspires to become a civil engineer. Read More >>>

June, 2016		Kenya: children and pregnant women reported among 300 South Sudanese denied asylum at border Kakuma, 17 June 2016 – The Jesuit Refugee Service is extremely concerned by this International Business Times report that hundreds of South Sudanese have been denied entrance into Kenya as asylum seekers and calls for immediate protection for new arrivals. Read More >>>