
JRS Middle East and North Africa is the newest region of the Jesuit Refugee Service, an international Catholic organization sponsored by the Society of Jesus. Initially established in the Middle East to meet the needs of Iraqi refugees, JRS regionally now works predominantly with Syrians — both inside and outside of Syria. It offers a wide range of services, namely: emergency support in the form of food aid, shelter, non-food items, hygiene kits and basic medical support to people with chronic and terminal illnesses. Other services include educational and psychosocial support, especially to Syrian children, legal and medical referrals, family visits, and small livelihood projects.
The conflict in Syria has displaced more than 12 million people – 3.8 million to neighbouring countries – and resulted in more than 220,000 deaths. More than half of the Syrian population are in need of assistance. Approximately 242,000 Syrians currently live in areas besieged by the government or opposition forces.
In Iraq, 1.5 million have been internally displaced following the expansion of ISIS in 2014. In Ankawa and Ozal, JRS serves displaced families through home visits, psychosocial support and education. Diverse JRS work with Yazidis, Muslim and Christian Iraqis who are seeking safety in and around Erbil, northern Iraq.
Working in cooperation with Jesuit networks, Muslim and other Christian entities, and secular organisations, JRS teams ensure civilians receive much needed support; however, this assistance is not sufficient to meet the escalating needs.
In total, JRS serves more than 490,000 people in Syria and Iraq. JRS teams also work in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey providing urgent assistance and educational and psychosocial support to different refugee and internally displaced communities.
Southern Africa | Return to All Regions |
Press Contact | Regional Office |
Phone | +27 11 618 3404 |
tim.smith@jrs.net | |
Website | http://www.jrssaf.org |
Description | JRS Southern Africa is one of 10 geographic regions of the Jesuit Refugee Service, an international Catholic organisation affiliated to the Society of Jesus. The regional office in Southern Africa supports country programmes in Angola, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. With a mandate to serve refugees and forcibly displaced persons, country projects include assisting refugees to access education, healthcare, and offering small business support. In Angola, JRS institutes legal workshops for refugees and government officials in order to educate individuals about the rights of refugees. JRS also assists refugees in filing appeals if they have been denied refugee status. In Malawi, JRS works with Jesuit Commons: Higher Education on the Margins in Dzaleka refugee camp to bring a variety of educational initiatives to displaced persons. JRS also brings psychosocial programmes to refugees and displaced persons requiring psychosocial support. In Zimbabwe, JRS works in Tongogara refugee camp to bring skills training to refugees and displaced persons. These trainings include computing, hairdressing, cosmetology and sewing classes. There are also initiatives that work to bring accredited education and scholarship programmes to students in the camp. In South Africa, JRS works with refugees in urban areas like Johannesburg and Pretoria to generate income. Since Johannesburg is home to the largest urban refugee population in the world, JRS works tirelessly with refugees to create sustainable livelihoods and vocational training and assistance in setting up small businesses. |
Countries | Angola Malawi South Africa Zimbabwe |
Afrique Australe | Return to All Regions |
Press Contact | Regional Office |
Phone | +27 11 618 3404 |
tim.smith@jrs.net | |
Website | http://www.jrssaf.org |
Description | Le JRS de l'Afrique Australe est une des 10 régions géographiques du Service Jésuite des Réfugiés, organisation catholique parrainée par la Compagnie de Jésus. Le bureau régional d'Afrique Australe sert des réfugiés et des personnes déplacées dans leur pays en Angola, Malawi, République Démocratique du Congo, Afrique du Sud et Zimbabwe. Ces services comprennent éducation, soins médicaux, soutien psychologique, aide d'urgence. En Angola, en plus des activités de soutien aux réfugiés, le projet fournit de la formation sur la législation concernant les réfugiés aux autorités gouvernementales, notamment à la police, aux fonctionnaires de l'immigration et aux dirigeants locaux. En République Démocratique du Congo, le JRS construit et réhabilite des écoles, renforce les compétences des enseignants et encourage la réintégration en développant des activités sportives pour les enfants. Au Malawi et en Afrique du Sud, le JRS fournit l'éducation de l'école maternelle à l'enseignement professionnel pour adultes. Au Zimbabwe, le JRS apporte de l'aide matérielle pour les plus vulnérables ainsi qu'une bibliothèque et des occasions d'expression culturelle. |
Countries | Angola Malawi Afrique du Sud Zimbabwe |
África austral | Return to All Regions |
Press Contact | Regional Office |
Phone | +27 11 618 3404 |
tim.smith@jrs.net | |
Website | http://www.jrssaf.org |
Description | El JRS África austral es una de las 10 regiones geográficas del Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados, una organización católica internacional de la Compañía de Jesús. La oficina regional en África austral sirve a refugiados y desplazados internos de Angola, Malawi, República Democrática del Congo, Sudáfrica y Zimbabwe. Sus servicios incluyen la educación, la atención sanitaria, el apoyo psicosocial y la asistencia de emergencia. En Angola, aparte de las actividades de apoyo a los refugiados, el proyecto ofrece formación sobre las leyes para los refugiados a las autoridades gubernamentales, entre ellos policías, funcionarios de inmigración y líderes locales. En la República Democrática del Congo, el JRS está construyendo y rehabilitando escuelas, mejorando la formación de los maestros y fomentando la reintegración mediante actividades deportivas para niños. En Malawi y Sudáfrica, el JRS desde preescolar a la formación profesional de adultos. En Zimbabwe, el JRS ofrece asistencia material a los más vulnerables, así como una biblioteca y otras oportunidades de expresión cultural. |
Countries | Angola Malawi Sudáfrica Zimbabwe |
Africa Meridionale | Return to All Regions |
Press Contact | Regional Office |
Phone | +27 11 618 3404 |
tim.smith@jrs.net | |
Website | http://www.jrssaf.org |
Description | Il JRS Africa Meridionale è una delle 10 aree geografiche del Servizio dei Gesuiti per i Rifugiati, un'organizzazione internazionale cattolica promossa dalla Compagnia di Gesù. L'ufficio regionale in Africa Meridionale assiste rifugiati e sfollati interni in Angola, Malawi, Repubblica Democratica del Congo, Sudafrica e Zimbabwe. I servizi comprendono: istruzione, servizi sanitari, supporto psicologico e assistenza nelle emergenze. In Angola, oltre alle attività in favore dei rifugiati, il progetto prevede formazione sulla legislazione in materia d'asilo per le autorità governative, tra cui polizia, funzionari dell'immigrazione e leader locali. Nella Repubblica Democratica del Congo, il JRS sta costruendo e restaurando edifici scolastici, aggiornando le competenze degli insegnanti e sostenendo il reiserimento sociale dei bambini attraverso attività sportive. In Malawi e in Sudafrica, il JRS offre servizi educativi che vanno dalla scuola dell'infanzia ai corsi professionali per adulti. In Zimbabwe, il JRS fornisce assistenza materiale ai più vulnerabili, ma anche una biblioteca e opportunità culturali. |
Countries | Angola Malawi Sudafrica Zimbabwe |