In 2006 positive trend in refugee protection were reinforced while the negative was exacerbated. Hundreds of thousands of refugees were assisted to go back to post-conflict societies, while xenophobia induced stricter policies in many other countries affecting the poorest and weakest.

The resumption of all-out civil war in Sri Lanka cost the lives of 3,000 people and the displacement of many more. In eastern Chad, 90,000 civilians were internally displaced as the Darfur conflict spread.

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) staff worked in more than 50 countries to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of refugees. Read more about our work in our 2006 annual report.