ASIA - Jesuit Refugee Service marks 25 years of mission in Asia

Bangkok (Fides Service) - In refugee camps on the border between Thailand and Myanmar, in tent camps set up in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, after last year’s tsunami tragedy, and also on the Nepal Bhutan border and in East Timor, and Cambodia, even in Australia there are volunteers of the Jesuit Refugee Service started 25 ago and present today in 55 countries.
“Today - says JRS - the world has over 45 million refugees and 80% are women and children living in desperate conditions, extreme poverty, loss of identity and even hope. JRS is at the service of many of these people, sharing their plight and defending their rights”.
The NGO was founded in 1980 by the then Jesuit superior Fr. Pedro Arrupe, “to provide material, spiritual and pedagogical assistance ” to the growing numbers of refugees in the world. To mark 25 years of “learning” with refugees JRS, directed today Fr Lluis Magrina SJ, published three books: the history of the JRS The Wound of the Border, 25 Years with Refugees, God in Exile, towards a Shared Spirituality and Horizons of Learning: 25 Years of JRS Education”.
Twenty five years on the JRS motto remains unchanged “Accompany, serve, defend” rights of refugees and displaced persons. The work of the JRS fits into the mission of the Society of Jesus to promote the justice of the Kingdom of God in dialogue with cultures and religions.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/11/2005 Righe: 25 Parole: 252)