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Freeze of US foreign aid disrupts refugee lives

The suspension of all foreign aid ordered by the US Government on 24 January 2025 has disrupted life-saving support to refugees and other forcibly displaced people living in vulnerable situations almost overnight. The funding freeze required an immediate work stop, affecting JRS’s operations in nine countries across the world. 

“I had just mobilised to meet new arrivals at the Doro reception centre to conduct Psychological First Aid and psychoeducation sessions when I received the instruction to halt our activities,” said Elizabeth Nyapito. She serves as a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer with JRS in Maban, South Sudan. “Those waiting for our support were left stranded, filled with questions, as they knew that JRS had always been their reliable lifeline within the camp.” 

Through funding from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), JRS accompanies people on the margins in Chad, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Iraq, South Africa, South Sudan, Thailand and Uganda. Now, their lives are at risk. 

We estimate that this required work stop could adversely impact over 100,000 refugees and displaced people, preventing displaced children from going to school, threatening the future of young refugees whose skill-development programmes have been suspended and placing undue stress on women who can no longer access psychosocial support.

As we respond to this new reality, one thing is clear: “We are not just a service provider—we are an organisation that walks with refugees. In times of crisis, we stand in unwavering solidarity with those forced to flee,” in the words of JRS International Director, Michael Schopf SJ. “Withdrawing dignity from one group today can lead to the same happening to all of us tomorrow.” 

Suspending these services will have wide-ranging consequences, for those we serve and for humanity as a whole.Read our statement