Jesuit Refugee Service Singapore
Accompany. Serve. Advocate.
Emergency Appeal for Refugees
In February 2025, the United States government terminated funding for many life-saving Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) programmes globally. Closer to home, JRS in Thailand and India face a severe shortage of funds, and the critical programmes they run for refugees face a possible shut-down.
Jointly with CHARIS, JRS is launching an appeal to raise SGD 200,000 to maintain essential services for 3 months. In Thailand, the programme supports 12,000 refugees and, asylum seekers and in India, another 15,800 vulnerable refugees in the areas of financial assistance, food rations, safe shelters, educational and psychosocial support.
Please help us to continue this vital work for the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk communities.
For donations by cheque, please make crossed cheque payable to “Humanitarian Aid Fund”, indicate “JRS – Appeal for Refugees” at back of cheque and send to: CHARIS, 55 Waterloo Street, #07-02 Catholic Centre, Singapore 187954.
“People like us who were forced to flee our country, we had to leave everything, our families, everything we had to survive, and now our lives are floating in the middle of the sea” Jamila, a 28-year-old Afghan refugee in Thailand.
Jamila left everything behind after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. Over the past seven months, she and her child have received help from JRS, including rent, utilities, subsidies, and essentials for her child. JRS also provides mental health and counselling services, and Jamila is one of a group of Afghan refugees who are struggling with mental health issues.
“It’s like I’m back where I started, worrying about everything,” Jamila said after she received news from JRS that the Urban Refugee Project had its funding terminated.
Middle East Crisis
Since the attacks started, over 350,000 people in Lebanon have been on the move, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The government of Lebanon estimates about 1.2 million internally displaced people. Many JRS staff members are also displaced.
As we look to an uncertain future, we call for a ceasefire and remain committed to accompanying those in need.
How are JRS Lebanon and JRS Syria responding to the crisis? (Click here for details on the JRS International website)
Commemorating the founding of
Jesuit Refugee Service
The Jesuit Refugee Service was founded by Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, on 14 November 1980. 42 years later, JRS continues its mission to accompany, serve and advocate for our refugee brothers and sisters throughout the world.
On our 42nd Anniversary, Affia, a refugee student from the JRS Digital Education Programme, shares her personal experience. This video clip was produced by a fellow refugee student Mukhzan.
Lead, Educate, Advocate & Partner
E3 – Education for
Economic Empowerment
Certified digital education programme focusing on marketing, design, web & IT skills for refugee students
662 Participants
Future-Ready & Life Skills Workshops
Mentoring in key areas of career growth and coaching to promote personal wellness.
703 Participants
Virtual Internships
Partners provide online training, mentorship and work experience to refugees in the region.
105 Engagements
Figures from Jul 2021 to 28 Feb 2025
Building an Inclusive World
In Asia, the situation for asylum-seekers and refugees remains bleak. Limited access to healthcare, education, and legal employment exacerbate the daily battle for survival and represent a significant obstacle as people attempt to rebuild their lives post-displacement.
In 2021, JRS Singapore initiated LEAP@JRS — a community building initiative focused on nurturing professional skills for the individual and developing resilience and self-sustainability for the community.
LEAP@JRS encompasses:
- certified education programmes such as digital marketing, graphic design and Cisco academy courses;
- professional development sessions such as resume writing, interview and presentation skills;
- wellness programmes to better manage stress and enhance emotional resilience and
- virtual internships facilitated with values-aligned partners to prepare asylum seekers and refugees for future employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
“In the name of all those who persecute you, who have persecuted you, those who have hurt you, above all for the indifference of the world, I ask for forgiveness, forgiveness.”
~ Pope Francis in Bangladesh in 2017