As global crises continue to escalate, so do the needs of the people – such as food and medical care, but also education, psychosocial support, or access to livelihoods. Through a multitude of projects, JRS’s humanitarian workers accompany, serve, and advocate for refugees and displaced people, so as they may heal and rebuild the futures they aspire to.

This year’s World Humanitarian Day resonates more strongly than ever. The freeze of US funding  — along with budget reductions from other governments — has impacted the entire humanitarian sector, and the effects are being felt by vulnerable communities across the globe.

JRS has worked tirelessly to continue providing vital assistance throughout this period, yet we recognise that many challenges still lie ahead.

We have selected a series of excerpts from interviews with our teams in Uganda, India, and El Paso (on the US-Mexico border), where projects have been severely affected by funding cuts.

Jovana Nieto – JRS US/Mexico Border

“Humanitarian work is vital here at the border community in El Paso, Texas, because we receive families who have travelled from countries across central and south America through very dangerous conditions looking for safety. We have to be able to offer them food, water, shelter, medical assistance, and spiritual accompaniment when they arrive so that they can heal from what they have just endured and prepare for the difficult road ahead as they seek safety in the United States.

So far, the worst moment for me has been watching these shelters in our communities close down one after another. The uncertainty of what will happen to our families, not knowing where they will sleep or if they will be safe has been the most difficult part.” Read more

Ankita Gupta – JRS India

“Before the Stop Work Order of 24 January, JRS North East (NE) & JRS Delhi were actively supporting people fleeing the conflict in Myanmar and urban refugees from Afghanistan.

The announcement of the suspension came as a shock.

We were forced to suspend all operations without any clarity on when activities might resume. Halting key services—such as community outreach activities, which are critical channels through which forcibly displaced people feel seen and heard – led to a sharp decline in regular interaction with the people served.” Read more

Christina Zetlmeisl – JRS Uganda

“Throughout this period [since the suspension letter from the United States Government arrived until today], we came to realise that what had happened could also be seen as a potential opportunity – not just for us, but also for the people we serve. Some of them secured internship placements, some were able to continue their language courses by mobilising their community and finding financial resources to pay their teachers.

This experience revealed a new path forward – one that JRS is committed to exploring further.

How can we continue to support communities in becoming more self-reliant and resilient with less available funding? We want to build on the resilience so far built with the people we have been working with.” Read more