Can you please introduce yourself?

I am Jerry Gomes, a Jesuit priest from Bangladesh. I am the director of JRS Bangladesh. Towards the end of 2019 I joined JRS, and I became director in since April 2020.

What brought you to serve refugees?

The Society of Jesus encouraged me to serve the Rohingya community through JRS. I am personally interested in this ministry, too.

Can you tell us more about the local context where you work?

Around 1 million Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh. The whole world knows how inhumanly and forcibly they are displaced from Myanmar. 99% of them are now in Cox’s Bazar. It means one fourth of the population of Cox’s Bazar is Rohingyas. At present, the Rohingya Response in Cox’s Bazar of Bangladesh is one of the well-organised and coordinated humanitarian response programmes in the world covering almost all sectors i.e. Shelter-CCCM (Camp Management and Camp Coordination), Protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Livelihood and Skill Development, Food Security, Education, Health, and Nutrition. The Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian organisations take care of many of their basic needs.

What are the main challenges for the people we serve?

Our Rohingya brothers and sisters have been in camps for the last seven years. They are carrying within them many bitter memories of the past. Psychosocial problems also result from their prolonged living in the camps as stateless people. The military coup in Myanmar heightened Rohingya vulnerability. Political unrest in Myanmar has been negatively affecting the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. These people don’t want to go to war or being recruited for war. Three-fourths of the children go to learning centres for formal education which is in line with the Myanmar Curriculum. Rohingya families lack the right to work and are highly vulnerable. Many teenagers have spent most of their lives in camps. Over 200,000 children were born in the camps in six years. The funding gap for serving the Rohingya community is 70%. These are the main challenges for the people we serve.

How is JRS responding to their needs?

JRS Bangladesh works in collaboration with Caritas Bangladesh for the holistic development of Rohingya children and adolescents in line with MHPSS which integrates other JRS priorities. JRS commenced its journey in Bangladesh in 2018 by opening 6 Child-Friendly Space centres. By 2019, JRS had opened 11 centres. They are called now Multi-purpose Child and Adolescent Centres. Over the past five years, we have served more than 6,000 children and adolescents. Emphasis is given both on MHPSS and peace and reconciliation from 2023. JRS-CB project focuses on Rohingya children and adolescents (0-18 years) integrating MHPSS and peace education. The participants have been forming in them desirable behaviours. Informal pre-primary education, life-skills, pre-vocational skills training, referrals, and advocacy joining other humanitarian agencies, and the Government are some of our activities. Special service to children and adolescents with disabilities is done to maintain functional levels. Para counselling and case management lead to positive behavioural changes and stress management. Capacity building of adult Rohingyas and parents are done to address protection concerns. Layered MHPSS services, hygiene practices, childcare, and human rights practices have improved.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your work?

Militant groups have been forcibly recruiting Rohingya children, adolescents, youths, and volunteers though they are unwilling to join the civil war which is going on in Myanmar. Since they are unwilling to do so they are killed or attacked. Recently one volunteer was killed.

Can you tell us a particularly transformative encounter or event that continues to inspire you in your commitment to JRS?

A few transformative events convinced me to stay with JRS for almost five years. I used to doubt whether our psycho-social support service is short-lived or not. On 10 June, I met 25 adolescent boys. They have known me for some time. Their courage to share with me was very inspiring. What inspired me is some of them study every day for five to six hours. They don’t want to go to war. They want to study. They have learned what is good for them, and what is not. They are looking forward for a bright future. In short, the love of Rohingya children and adolescents has inspired me in my commitment to JRS. Rohingya children and adolescents are hopeful. They don’t give up. We have many things to learn from them.

What does accompaniment mean to you?

Accompaniment is more than a professional service or carrying out a developmental project. Our founding father of JRS, Fr. Pedro Arrupe, was more moved by the love for the refugees. Accompaniment means many things, but it begins with a positive attitude towards refugees. The rest will follow. Our Rohingya brothers and sisters know who accompanies them in the truest sense of the word.

How can individuals or organisations contribute to making a difference in the contexts where you work?

Emergency support is not enough. Repatriation is not a solution. Healing historical wounds and sustainable solutions are crucial. These elements are well articulated in JRS’s peace and reconciliation programme.