The plight of thousand of Vietnamese boat people moved Jesuit Father General Pedro Arrupe SJ to explore what the society could do to alleviate the suffering of refugees in the world. On 14 November 1980, he established the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). The service of the refugees, for Fr.Arrupe, is 'Everybody's Challenge'.  Today JRS is active in more than 70 countries in 9 regions world wide. In Asia Pacific, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS-AP) works in 6 countries: Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and  Timor Leste.

JRS has a priority to work wherever the needs of displaced people are urgent and are unattended by others. JRS offers a human and pastoral service to refugees and the communities who host them through a wide range of rehabilitation and relief activities. Services - including programs of pastoral care, education for children and adults, social services and counseling, and health care - are tailored to meet local needs according to available resources.

In the words of the present Superior General of the Jesuits, Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ: 'While always ready to help refugees in their material and spiritual wants, and also in designing projects leading to a fuller and more independent life, we try to place special emphasis on being with and doing with, rather than doing for. We want our presence among refugees to be one of sharing with them, of accompaniment, of walking together along the same path.