Access to quality education
Hospitality: bringing refugees out of obscurity
Serving vulnerable Syrians
Theology, spirituality and ethics, a basis of the JRS mission
Conflict in Congo
International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence
Kenya: rising xenophobia affects refugees in Nairobi
Nairobi, 9 May 2013 – Ever since the Kenya government decided last December to order all refugees living in urban areas to move to camps and ceased registration of asylum seekers in urban areas, fear and hardship have descended on the Kenyan capital. In particular Somali refugees, as well as Kenyans of Somali origin, have been subjected to increased harassment. Despite efforts by Kenyan NGOs to block the implementation of the directive, hospitality to refugees is at an all-time low.
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Kenya: providing a safety net for the vulnerable
Nairobi, 18 February 2013 – On a sunny Friday morning, St Theresa's Church Hall in Eastleigh, Nairobi, comes alive as people slowly trickle inside. A mixed crowd of men and women, each carrying a small bag, waited for the last meeting of the JRS initiative for urban refugees running small businesses in the Kenyan capital. The 45 beneficiaries of the JRS Nairobi Urban Project, received food and material assistance as a way of providing a safety net while they invested in their businesses (income-generating activities IGAs).
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Syria: humanitarian situation in the region deteriorating rapidly
Beirut, 12 February 2013 – On a recent visit to Beirut, Nawras Sammour SJ, delivered the sombre news regarding the rapidly deteriorating system in Damascus.
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Turkey: Iraqis constantly on the move in search of a brighter future
Ankara, 4 February 2013 – As the international community focuses its attention on the Syrian conflict, refugees from other areas of conflict are all but forgotten. In Turkey, the JRS team is coming into contact with more and more Iraqis who have been doubly displaced – once to Syria and now to Turkey or other countries. Their stories tell of a never-ending struggle to survive in new places and their search for a brighter future.
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Turkey: refugee families share their anxieties about the present and future
Ankara, 28 January 2013 – As the numbers of refugees entering Turkey rose to unprecedented numbers in 2012, JRS is focusing its services on reaching out to highly vulnerable refugee populations, such as Afghanis or Iranians. At the same time, Iraqis, who have been doubly displaced by fleeing first to Syria, and then to Turkey, are placed in highly vulnerable circumstances. During recent home visits, families of refugees shared their stories with JRS about how they came to be in Turkey.
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Turkey: urban refugees from Afghanistan face winter crisis
Ankara,19 November 2012 – Refugees from Afghanistan are facing a harsh winter in Turkey this year. According to information provided to JRS, more than 8,900 Afghans have arrived in the country since 31 May, mainly arriving in through Iran. It is believed that most are fleeing the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, but some may have been residing in Iran for some time.
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Syria: painting as a form of self-expression, a workshop for women at Deir Vartan
Aleppo, 29 May 2012 - Tucked away in the heart of Aleppo, at Deir Vartan Centre, JRS organises specific activities for female refugees of all ages, living in and around Aleppo. In an attempt to combine recreation and increasing self-awareness, an art workshop was organised.
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Syria: overcoming isolation through community
Aleppo, 25 May 2012 – Forced to flee religious sectarian persecution in Baghdad following the 2003 US-led invasion, Hakeem Nagi lost everything; his friends, family and job. After five years of isolation and loneliness, Hakeem is slowing rebuilding his life thanks to the support and training he received from the Jesuit Refugee Service Deir Vartan centre in Aleppo.
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Syria: where to now for Iraqis?
Aleppo, 25 May 2012 – Bursting with energy, young Hassan and Nurredin are excited to have guests in their tiny home. They are overactive and when we’re not looking, attempt to sip coffee from our cups. They lead an isolated existence, and a visit from the JRS team is often the highlight of their day.

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Jordan: refugees helping refugees
Amman, 17 May 2012 – "When I see Syrian families I remember when we were first refugees… history repeats itself. We, Iraqis, felt scared to register with UNHCR [the UN refugee agency], and now we meet many Syrians in the same position", said JRS Jordan family visits coordinator, Laith Eskander.
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