The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 at the Vatican State as a foundation.

JRS programmes are found in 57 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in cities, and to those held in detention centres. The main areas of work are in the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services. At the end of 2009, more than 500,000 individuals were direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.
More than 1,400 workers contribute to the work of JRS, the many of whom work on a voluntary basis, including about 78 Jesuits and 66 religious from other congregations. These figures do not include the large number of refugees recruited to take part in the programmes as teachers, health workers and others.

JRS is also very much concerned with advocacy and human rights work. This involves ensuring that refugees are afforded their full rights while in exile and during repatriation as guaranteed by the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and working to strengthen the protection afforded to internally displaced persons (IDPs). It extends to lobbying for and promoting international human rights legislation, either through participation in international campaigns and coalitions or through membership of international fora, such as the UN Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC).

JRS also contributes to refugee research at the University of Oxford. At Oxford, the 'Pedro Arrupe Tutor' overseas research undertaken in the name of JRS as well as facilitating the training of JRS personnel. The main tasks of the tutorship include conducting research, teaching and consultancy regarding refugees and forced migration for church agencies, NGOs and governments.

Society of Jesus

The Jesuit Refugee Service is an apostolic work of the Society of Jesus. For more than 460 years Jesuit priests and brothers served the Church in new and unexpected ways. Men on the move, ready to change their residence, occupation, approach – whatever is necessary to advance the Church’s mission: teaching the word of Jesus Christ and preaching his Good News – a radical service of faith in a world that respects neither faith nor the justice it entreats.

Today, the Jesuits have enhanced their cooperation to include men and women who share this vision of service to faith and justice. And this exchange has expanded to include a dialogue with other religions and cultures. One of the largest examples of this cooperation is the Jesuit Refugee Service.


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. 

JRS - Australia
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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