The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Middle East (MENA) Communications Report 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of JRS’s activities across Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. This report highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees, forcibly displaced people, and vulnerable local communities.

Key Highlights:

– Syria: Facing a severe humanitarian crisis, JRS Syria provided emergency aid, healthcare, education, and psychosocial support in areas like Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs. The response to the February 2023 earthquakes was particularly notable, with extensive aid reaching the most affected regions.

– Lebanon: Amidst economic and social challenges, JRS Lebanon focused on high-quality inclusive education, mental health support, and livelihood projects. The programs aimed at improving the resilience and self-sufficiency of both refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities.

– Jordan: JRS Jordan emphasized livelihood training, mental health support, and social cohesion for marginalized refugee communities. Through innovative projects like the House of Encounter, JRS Jordan aimed to create safe spaces for mutual understanding and advocacy.

– Iraq: JRS Iraq’s efforts in Duhok and Ninewa included educational programs, emergency assistance, and mental health support, particularly for Yezidis and those affected by ISIS. The programs addressed the complex needs of displaced populations and returnees, fostering resilience and hope.

The report underscores JRS’s holistic approach, integrating education, mental health support, and emergency aid to empower individuals and communities. Personal stories of resilience and transformation illustrate the profound impact of JRS’s work in fostering dignity, hope, and self-reliance among refugees and displaced people in the MENA region.