Jesuit Refugee Service | USA | Helping the vulnerable in Syria's conflict

Lebanon: families from Syria seek safety, shelter
(Beirut) May 12, 2013 — The small town of Naameh lies less than 13 miles south of Beirut along the coastal road. Notorious for religious tensions and prone to violence between different sects, it seems an unlikely place to settle, yet it is now home to 50 Syrian families —about 300 individuals — who are taking shelter in a derelict school.
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Syria: bringing families together
(Beirut) May 5, 2013 — The opportunity for a moment of peace and quiet has all but vanished in Damascus. As violence in the 4,000 year-old city escalates, accompanied by acute shortages of daily commodities, it becomes harder to enjoy the simple things in life, much less a family meal. Conscious of this, the Jesuit Refugee Service Damascus team organizes 'family mornings' twice a month.
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Syria: thousands more displaced by violence in Aleppo
(Beirut) April 12, 2013 – Thousands of people living in the predominantly Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo were displaced last week following a surge in violence in the northern city. A Jesuit Refugee Service Aleppo outreach team member said many Kurdish residents have gone to their home villages outside of the city, and Christians have fled into other Christian areas in Aleppo.
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JRS Jordan director visits U.S. universities, parishes
(Amman) February 11, 2013 – [Schedule updated March 8] Living and working here as Country Director for Jesuit Refugee Service Jordan, Colin Gilbert’s environs are a far cry from his hometown of Phoenix, Ariz. Mr. Gilbert returns to the U.S. from March 10 to April 10 to share his experiences, particularly in light of the Syrian crisis, at an array of Jesuit universities, high schools and parishes.
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Witnessing the hope and resilience of Syrians
(Beirut) February 14, 2013 – Despite the worsening situation in Syria and the exodus of thousands of people daily to neighboring countries, there are still many Syrians who remain behind to assist with the humanitarian effort. Jesuit Refugee Service relies on local networks of volunteers who give much of their time, energy and skills to assist with our efforts within Syria’s borders.
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Syria: shelter and food difficult to find
(Beirut) February 12, 2013 - "It's almost as bad as Aleppo. I fear the humanitarian situation will be worse," said Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East and North Africa Director Fr. Nawras Sammour S.J. of current conditions in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Thousands of people are being continuously displaced and in search of shelter because of intense fighting and destruction.
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Syria: daily life a struggle to survive
(Washington, D.C.) January 29, 2013 — Jesuit Refugee Service in Syria continues to help thousands of families displaced by the fighting; their work continues despite the added stress of the fact that the JRS staff and their network of volunteers are nearly all victims of displacement themselves. Throughout the country, conditions are deteriorating, and a brutal winter adds to the misery.
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Syria: food & fuel shortages add to daily woes
(Beirut) January 9, 2013 - Jesuit Refugee Service staff and volunteers based in Aleppo have expressed concerns for displaced populations trying to gain access to emergency relief assistance under such circumstances. "The most urgent needs for families are bread, winter clothes, shoes and blankets. Heating is a big problem but with no gas, fuel or electricity – what's the solution?"
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Syria: urgent need for winter supplies
(Beirut) December 17, 2012 — In the wake of recent escalated violence in Damascus, with bombings and fierce gunfights breaking out in areas of the capital city, it has become increasingly difficult for Jesuit Refugee Service in Syria to ensure the procurement and safe delivery of emergency supplies for displaced people.
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Syria: maintaining normalcy in Aleppo
(Beirut) December 13, 2012 – While reporting the news from Aleppo, Syria, media have continued to repeat a war narrative of death and destruction, while bombarding the viewer with graphic images of the injured and dead. But there is another reality of the situation which also deserves attention, one that people in Aleppo — and all across Syria — face daily: that of their survival.
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Jordan: eat dust here or die in Syria
(Amman) November 5, 2012 — It was the middle of winter, nine months ago, when Ahmed and his extended family — wife, daughter, parents, uncle and aunt — first arrived in Jordan. Life is hard here. But it was impossible at home. Before fleeing Homs, Syria, Ahmed was arrested and detained for nearly 50 days in appalling conditions. As a result of his time in prison, Ahmed has spine-related problems that make any form of labour difficult.
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Syria: enduring spirit remains despite the rubble
(Amman) October 18, 2012 — Stray bullets frequently land on the floor of the recently relocated Jesuit Refugee Service kitchen in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. Despite increased security concerns JRS teams have been able to expand its small, but concrete, assistance to those caught in the crisis.
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Jordan: accompaniment comes first for refugees
(Amman) October 31, 2012 – Few of the students at the Ashrafiyeh school here share a common language, or religious and cultural traditions. Most have been forced to flee conflict and survive on the margins of society. They need to be supported and kept engaged. This is the approach taken by teachers in the Jesuit Refugee Service school in Jordan.
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Syria: amidst upheaval, JRS expands services
(Amman) October 12, 2012 — Like many other people and places throughout Syria, Jesuit Refugee Service staff and buildings have not been spared from the violence of the conflict. Movement is constrained, goods deliveries are delayed and buildings are destroyed and evacuated. Despite these setbacks, JRS and local networks of solidarity have continued to provide emergency support.
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