 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. |
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JRS - Asia Pacific Regional Office works towards coordinating, facilitating and supporting its Country Offices in the region with concentrated efforts to: |
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Provide | direct service to the refugees and displaced people. |
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Promote | the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced persons; governmental and institutional action to address root causes of forced displacement; sustainable solutions. |
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Improve | the way in which people treat refugees and forcibly displaced persons. |
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Support | programmes planning, financial management, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation and reporting at Country level. |
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Facilitate | advocacy planning and regional coordination amongst Country Offices and the International Office. |
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Initiate | capacity building workshops for the staff at National and Regional levels. |
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Network and outreach | with other regional organizations working on similar or related issues. |
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Regular publication | of Diakonia (every quaterly) and other specific research works. |
JRS - Australia
www.jrs.org.au jrsinfo@jrs.org.au
 Local involvement in accompanying refugees and asylum seekers within Australia. Protection of the right to seek and enjoy asylum in Australia. Advocacy research work on forced migration in the Pacific region.
JS/JRS - Cambodia
www.jrscambodia.org jrscam@online.com.kh
Vocational and training programmes for the disabled. Assistance to local villages through Rural Development programmes. Service to war/mine affected communities in Siem Reap, Banteay, Meanchey and Battambang. Advocacy and Research services. Legal and social assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. Active participation in the Landmines campaign.
JRS - Indonesia
www.jrs.or.id indonesia@jrs.net
Emergency relief & rehabilitation activities for the displaced persons (conflict and natural disasters). Peace Building and Conflict Transformation. Social Service and Community Development. Protection, Advocacy, Information and Communication. Restoring community life.
JRS - Singapore
www.jrssingapore.org admin@jrssingapore.org
Public awareness programmes, conducting talks and exhibitions on the plight of refugees and fundraising. Organising exposure and work programmes for volunteers through visits to refugee camps to support or adopt JRS projects.
JRS - Thailand
www.jrs.or.th thailand@jrs.net
Mae Hong Song Education Programme. Urban Refugees Programme (Bangkok & Mae Sot). Immigration Detention Center Programme (Bangkok). Northern Border Programme (Chiang Mai Province). Migrant Education Programme (Ranong). Advocating for Refugees and Stateless people.
JRS - Timor Leste
jrstls@gmail.com
Social Service and Community Development. Protection, Advocacy, Information and Communication. Restoring community life.
JRS - Asia Pacific Regional Office also participates in international initiatives such as:
Coalition to Stop Child Soldiers
International Detention Coalition
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
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