NOVEMBER 2012 ISSUE 54

JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE

AFGHANISTAN p.4

COLOMBIA p.6 The enduring spirit SOUTH SUDAN p.9 SYRIA p.11

of the Syrian people ASIA PACIFIC p.17 Jesuit Refugee Service ISSUE 54

NOVEMBER 2012 COVER PHOTO in this issue:

The JRS field kitchen team in Aleppo, Syria (Avo Kaprealian and Sedki Al Editorial Imam/JRS) Faith and protection 3

Afghanistan Servir is available free in English, Uncertain but hopeful 4 Spanish, French and Italian. It is published twice a year by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Colombia Between life and death 6 PUBLISHER Peter Balleis SJ South Sudan EDITOR A community is as good as its teachers 9 Danielle Vella

Syria DESIGNER Malcolm Bonello Volunteer networks bring hope 11 Your support for the people of Syria (Appeal) 14

Focus on SGBV Prevent, protect, prosecute 15 It’s painful but not the end 16 The Jesuit Refugee Service is an international Catholic organisation established in 1980 by Pedro Arrupe SJ. Its Asia Pacific mission is to accompany, serve and defend the cause of forcibly Regional cooperation: an impossible dream? 17 displaced people. Reflection Jesuit Refugee Service “All that is not given is lost” 19 Borgo S. Spirito 4, 00193 Rome, Italy

TEL: +39 06 69 868 465 Photo exhibition (back page) 20 FAX: +39 06 69 868 461

[email protected] www.jrs.net Abbreviations

The following are used throughout this issue DRC Democratic Republic of Congo SGBV Sexual and gender-based violence UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

2 editorial

Bamyan, Afghanistan.

Faith and protection “I cannot believe this is God’s will.” humanitarian workers, for members conflict and emergencies, serving Faced with the violence destroying of the local community, for people as the first providers of life-saving her country, 26-year-old Lola like Lola, who works with JRS in protection and assistance… Local from Syria expresses her deepest Damascus, faith in the God of religious communities have also spiritual doubts. In Syria, people love is the single most important long played a fundamental role in of all faiths frequently use the reason to stay, to hope and to work the promotion of tolerance and expression Inch’allah, ‘if God wants’, for others who suffer. Lola is one reconciliation.” as an expression of their confidence of many Syrian JRS workers and Faith can motivate people to give that everything is God’s will. But volunteers, active in Christian and up their own protection to protect the war, killing and destruction Muslim communities, who just want refugees instead. Reflecting on his happening now cannot be God’s to serve their people, to protect work in Afghanistan, Jestin from will. Lola is right: this is the will of them by offering shelter, food and India says Jesuits are called to move human beings who opted for violent education for their children. To do out of their safety zones, to give means either to maintain or attain this, they risk their own protection. without counting the cost. How power. To make things worse, some Inviting partners to a many humanitarian workers of all extremists don’t hesitate to use dialogue on faith and protection, creeds risk, sometimes lose, their God’s name to justify their violence, António Guterres, the UN High lives for love? In this issue of Servir, saying it is His will… but not the Commissioner for Refugees, we pay tribute to the late Pierre God Lola believes in. recognises “the important Ceyrac SJ, one of the very first JRS Extreme situations like war, contribution of local religious workers and a shining icon of our forced displacement and despair communities towards the protection mission. A man who devoted his life confront us with the burning of forcibly displaced and stateless to others, Fr Pierre always quoted question about the utter meaning persons. At the local level, religious a saying of St John of the Cross: of life. For many refugees, their leaders and communities often find “At the end of our lives we will be last hope rests in their God. For themselves on the front lines of judged by love.”

Peter Balleis SJ | JRS International director

3 accompany Afghanistan

Uncertain but hopeful Jestin Anthony SJ

In 2001, the world watched to neighbouring Iran, where helplessly as the Taliban destroyed they spent years as refugees. two massive Buddha statues, Their suffering has prompted carved nearly 1,500 years earlier in a realisation in the people of the cliff face overlooking Bamyan. Bamyan that education is the only Today, the silent mountains way to fight injustice. Their desire still depict the wounds of this to gain knowledge is so intense small isolated province in central it really motivates me to give my Afghanistan. It was more than best, always. precious cultural monuments The needs of Bamyan are that were destroyed. The male many and diverse. But knowing and female Buddha statues stand that education is a major key to for all the men and women of development, JRS has invested in Jestin is a Jesuit in formation from Gujarat province in India. Bamyan, neglected, marginalised this field. I was asked to manage and, still today, in pain. the English Access programme in The beautiful green valley of four schools, the teacher-training Bamyan is mostly home to the centre and at the university. Hazara people. Shia Muslims, as Jerome Sequeira SJ, JRS director opposed to the overwhelming in Bamyan, had to go to India Sunni majority in Afghanistan, for tertianship (the final phase the Hazaras suffered terribly of Jesuit formation), and I was under Taliban rule. Many fled slightly anxious about being alone

The desecrated cliff face overlooking Bamyan. (Peter Balleis SJ/JRS)

4 Afghanistan accompany

Girls are eager to go to school but the nightmare scenario of a possible Taliban return looms. (Peter Balleis SJ/JRS) for three months. But it turned as refugees just as we did before.” need our support, now more than out to be a blessing in disguise. Another staff member, Dawlat ever. If we pull out at this critical The biggest challenge to overcome Bhaktiyari, says he’ll leave the moment then we have nobody to was the cultural barrier but those country voluntarily. “I’d be very blame but ourselves. months by myself allowed me to happy to go somewhere else where As for me, I have discovered get to know the people and their I can do higher studies and get a more confidence and inner culture more closely. good job.” Many young intelligent strength than ever before. This My interaction with the minds feel the same, that there is wouldn’t have been possible students helps me to see reality no place for them in Afghanistan, without faith in God, who has from their point of view. Young no place for free speech. sent me on this mission, and people in Bamyan really want to my formation as a Jesuit. Every study and progress in life, their evening, in my silent prayers, avid interest in class makes this I challenge myself with three clear. They are tired of war, but As Jesuits we are questions from the Spiritual when asked how they see the Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, future of Afghanistan, their eyes called to move out the founder of the Jesuit order, the reflect grave concern. During of our safety zones, Society of Jesus: What have I done the Taliban times, girls were not for Christ? What am I doing for allowed to go to school, never to give without Christ? What will I do for Christ? given the opportunity to learn. counting the I am thankful to the Society for One of our access students voiced placing so much trust in me and their silent fear: “If Taliban come cost. challenging me to go ahead. As back, it would be most difficult for Jesuits, we are called to move out us girls to leave our house freely For now, at least, Bamyan of our safety zones, to give without and go to school or university. is relatively safe although its counting the cost. There will always be the fear of surroundings and the roads This land of uncertainties has death.” leading to it remain volatile and taught me a great deal, and I am Adults share the girls’ views. A dangerous. Many hold Bamyan out ever grateful to all who have been JRS staff worker said: “The Taliban as a beacon of hope for the rest of with me in this mission of the will never allow us [Hazaras] to the country. There is a long way to Society. For it is through your help live peacefully. They will find us go, but can Bamyan truly change? and support that I have received and kill us. We’ll have no other My answer is yes – change is formation that will be ever close to way but to flee to another country possible. But the people of Bamyan my heart.

5 accompany Colombia

Between life and death For Luis Fernando Gómez Gutiérrez, JRS Latin America advocacy officer, accompanying Afro- Colombian people in one of Colombia’s most violent places is a privilege earned through being with them in their pain.

First day... 29 June 2008: A wonderful Sunday afternoon. Children ran in every possible direction on the football pitch and community grounds of San Francisco district in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca. Men and women bustled around, preparing activities to celebrate life as a community, with music, singing and laughter. It was an occasion worth celebrating: the closure of an intensive process of formation and exchange of ideas, of identifying ways to live in such an adverse environment. Buenaventura has always been a tough place, with a harsh climate, high temperatures and stifling humidity. Throughout history, leaders have tended to forget about this region, except for its harbour, a crucial entry and exit point. Since colonial times, the harbour of Buenaventura has been the world’s gateway to Colombia and the country’s gateway to globalisation; a gateway built on exclusion and Children playing in Lleras neighbourhood, Buenaventura. (Randolf Laverde) structural violence, on the kind of development that ignores the human element. men and women who sailed the spent the entire afternoon with Today Buenaventura is a long rivers and carved out a living my video camera, capturing the fierce battleground of guerrillas, space in semi-harmony with the joy of women in pink t-shirts, paramilitary and governmental jungle, wresting ground from the proud to be leaders in the process, forces, of strongmen and drug mangrove swamps to build entire and the talent of boys and girls dealers, all fighting one another settlements. dancing in traditional costume, and each other’s allies, but mostly That afternoon, as we celebrated bearing witness to the irrepressible manipulated by external actors. the life of black communities, strength of joint effort. I However, in the annals of brothers and sisters drew on filmed faces, smiles, rhythmic Colombia’s unofficial history, their shared history to look to movements, applause and Buenaventura has also been a place the future, agreeing on an action speeches. At the time, I could never of renewal for black communities, plan that would serve as the have imagined I was witnessing the a space earned by the sweat of roadmap of a resurgent people. I last public words of Doña Martha

6 Colombia accompany

Cecilia “Chila”, a displaced black would speak and what to say, and woman who had led this and many whether it would be sensible to other initiatives in San Francisco send a clear message about human district. rights through the presentation we When the light of the sun had prepared. that accompanied us that day In that chapel, there was disappeared, I received a distressed despair, indignation and pain call from the director of the caused by injustice and the organisation that had enabled mystery of death. However, from the entire process. She said Chila my perspective of faith, I could had been killed just a few minutes recognise the risen Christ in that after the end of the activity. Her lifeless body behind the altar. dead body lay on the football pitch. Black people do not stand in People were paralysed with fear; silence in the presence of death. nobody dared go to her. I wasn’t far Music, drums, movement and away and all I dared was to make alcohol accompany death, for a couple of calls to the authorities life and death are not separate and local people who might safely but parts of the same essence. be able to help. Death was back in There is death in life itself. With San Francisco and other districts the melody of the music, the of Buenaventura just when it had penetrating drumbeat, the cadence seemed the killers were yielding of the poems recited for Chila, to the peaceful strength of the and that strange mixture of life community. and death, my heart burst into tears. What exactly was I doing Second day... here, why had life confronted me with this reality, what could I offer In the late afternoon, in the chapel these people, what lessons should I of the Franciscans, a few metres learn? What was God telling me in away from the place where Chila my desolation? had been killed by anonymous As tears rolled down our weapons, family and friends, cheeks, Don Mario, leader and known and unknown, gathered poet from Buenaventura’s La to bid her farewell and to share Gloria district, approached us to their pain and indignation. Among shake hands, saying emphatically: the unknown were three of us “Whites don’t cry for blacks,” paisas, as they call anyone who Children performing in a cultural activity in suggesting with these words that Lleras neighbourhood, Buenaventura. The vast is not black around here, vaguely we had become brothers of the majority of Buenaventura’s residents are black. acknowledged as “the Jesuits” and community. A lasting friendship (David Lima Díaz SJ) friends in a joint project. The night was born. before, we had prepared a short audiovisual presentation with the pictures and videos we had taken Third day... that Sunday afternoon, when we Months later, thanks to the seeds thought they might serve during a of life born from that celebration different kind of celebration. of death and to Don Mario, we In a room behind the altar, found ourselves sitting under a we discussed with members of tree in the Matía Mulumba centre, different organisations what to discuss possible ways to give kind of words we should use, who practical form to our friendship.

7 accompany Colombia

La Playita neighbourhood of Buenaventura, an area primarily home to displaced Colombians. Most of The funeral ceremony of Chila. the homes are constructed on stilts over the bay. (Christian Fuchs/JRS) (Luis Fernando Gómez)

Since then, many things have us the metaphor of death, the fragility of our history, represented evolved in this relationship: the La metamorphosis through death and by people who see how the light of Gloria district process, as we called victory over death. life fades, the sun hides and night it, the La Gloria district struggle, This and other experiences falls. as they continue to experience have helped me to understand But after night comes day and, it. La Gloria is a rural district clearly that the message of the before it comes, a beautiful and on the outskirts of the city of resurrection is present daily in colourful miracle takes place. With Buenaventura, a violent place with families who must leave their each new day the sun brings its a high concentration of displaced homes to live as displaced, message of life. Death can bring people. Since 2009, JRS Colombia marginalised people. The history of life to those who suffer, with the has been accompanying the La humanity is marked by the stories strength that comes from sincere Gloria community in its struggle of those forced to start all over brotherly love, if they accept it in to win respect for the collective again in a land not their own, in a their hearts. In death is life, for rights of black communities and to foreign culture, to communicate those who want to believe and see prevent forced displacement and their ideas and feelings in a it this way. child recruitment. The action plan, borrowed language. This is the in which Chila had taken part, remains a point of reference for their shared life. The danger is still Info point there and rises each day like a giant threatening to crush small local In the department of Valle del Cauca city and empty out into the Pacific initiatives. Not much has changed lies Buenaventura — Colombia’s port. The fear and violence gripping in reality. Nevertheless, there is principal port city and also one Buenaventura is palpable as we walk “La Glorita,” a small farm that of its deadliest. Buenaventura through the neighbourhoods hosting started as a symbol of collaboration has received massive numbers of the displaced… Leaflets announcing between the community and some displaced Colombians in recent years the presence of illegal armed groups fleeing violent displacement by regularly appear… Of particular organisations, including JRS, and is armed groups. The city has become concern is the targeting of youth and now run by the community alone. an important strategic location for children who are ripe for coercion That afternoon, as we agonised both guerrillas and paramilitaries and recruitment by the illegal armed over Chila’s death, we found seeking to capture valuable routes groups. renewed life in the courage that for the shipment of drugs, arms, Shaina Aber, former JRS USA arose from that very injustice. gold and other resources along the advocacy, On assignment in Death is not eternal, life is. multitude of rivers that surround the Buenaventura, 21 May 2012. After three days, Christ shows

8 South Sudan serve

There is no replacement for a trained and motivated teacher. (Angela Hellmuth/JRS)

A community is as good as its teachers Dr Biryaho Francis, JRS South Sudan education coordinator

A community is only as good as its Beneficiary communities in Info point teachers. There is no substitute for Nimule, Lobone, Kajo-Keji and Yei a trained and committed teacher appreciated the JRS contribution. South Sudan is struggling to build to promote quality education. JRS But an evaluation carried out in its education system amid soaring learned this valuable lesson in more 2010 revealed that more needed school enrolment with teachers than 15 years promoting education to be done. Providing materials who are mostly primary school in South Sudan. is not a sine qua non for learning. leavers. The fledgling nation is JRS shaped its contribution Literacy, numeracy, mathematics believed to have the worst literacy rate in the world. A recent report in South Sudan – first as a region and sciences were found to be poor by the Overseas Development at war and later as a new country in primary and secondary schools. Institute (ODI) holds that less – according to need. For years, Among the problems identified than 2% of the population JRS concentrated on propping up were uncoordinated workshops for has completed primary school the educational infrastructure: teachers. education, while the United constructing and renovating JRS decided to set up school Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) classrooms, dormitories for girls, development teams (SDTs) to bring says 70% of children aged laboratories and libraries; supplying about positive transformation between six and 17 years have teaching and learning aids; building within the school by the school. never set foot inside a classroom. the capacity of school management Each SDT consists of three bodies; providing desks, chalk and experienced and committed blackboards and paying the school teachers who were trained and fees of girls and vulnerable boys. supervised by JRS and who in turn Teacher training was provided too mentor, train and encourage their but JRS had no mandate to enter a colleagues. classroom to supervise the teachers After training SDT members, and learners. JRS followed up with monthly

9 serve South Sudan

meetings at the school level. was one of the factors contributing family as others do.” Teaching is a Characterised by a personal to this good performance. last resort for job seekers due to the approach and focus on specific Another positive step – low pay. issues, the meetings proved helpful recommended by experts – taken Other challenges abound. for the teachers, who said they by JRS has been to support The home environment is not acquired knowledge and confidence. primary schools in the use of conducive to learning. Very few In all, 36 primary schools and 16 local mother tongues as a medium houses have electricity and poverty secondary schools benefited. of instruction; these schools is rife: one harvest a year does not The move paid off. JRS registered gains in literacy and provide enough food for home developed tools to assess numeracy. consumption and to generate an progress and carried out a shared What will happen now that income too. The infrastructure of assessment with government JRS is withdrawing? In August pre-independence South Sudan education officials and SDT 2012, during a training workshop, had been destroyed by years of members. They found team teachers and government officials civil war. Education is not isolated teaching had been introduced in pledged to support SDTs. However from other social systems; fixing schools; joint JRS and government other steps must be taken to the problems of formal education supervision had improved; and motivate teachers. A grade-three must go hand in hand with there was marked progress in teacher earns about 200 Sudanese tackling those in health, security, making lesson plans. pounds per month (equivalent agriculture and other services. A ringing endorsement was the to US$50). “We cannot send our Yet education is a key to result of the 2011 South Sudan children to decent schools yet development in all senses. Unless Certificate of Secondary Education, others send their children to school huge investment is pumped into which revealed that seven out of the outside South Sudan,” said one improving our schools, low levels of 10 best schools were supported by teacher. And another: “We have an literacy will persist in South Sudan. JRS. Students and teachers say SDT obligation to educate and feed our

JRS leaves South Sudan

At the end of 2012, JRS will officially close the last of its projects in South Sudan, focused on education, pastoral accompaniment and peace Investing in bricks and building. The decision to exit mortar is important but not from these successful projects enough to have good schools. (Angela Hellmuth/JRS) was made in line with the JRS mandate of attending to the needs of the forcibly displaced in situations of great need. Now that returnees, largely from refugee camps in Uganda, have settled and benefited from JRS work, the time has come to hand over ownership of the projects to the local communities… safe in the knowledge that the foundations are there for continued growth, learning and success. Deogratias Rwezaura SJ, JRS Eastern Africa regional director

10 Syria serve

A Syrian refugee family in Amman, Jordan. A JRS team composed mostly of Iraqi refugees visits Syrian refugees in Amman. (Dominik Asbach)

Volunteer networks bring hope Angelika Mendes, JRS International fundraising coordinator, and Zerene Haddad, JRS Middle East communications officer

Twenty-four year-old Selima was Estimates say more than Fadia, said: “I fear things here seven months pregnant when 300,000 Syrians have crossed will be the same as in Iraq. If this fighting in her neighbourhood into Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and happens, where are we supposed forced her to leave Homs. With her Lebanon since the uprisings and to go?” husband Rami she sought refuge in their violent suppression started Present in Syria since 2008, Damascus. They stayed two weeks, early in 2011. Exact numbers are JRS can help the displaced people but the shelling forced them to unknown because many are afraid thanks to strong local links. “Very escape again, this time for Dera’a to register and live outside the few international aid agencies have in southern Syria. Accompanied camps, dispersed among the local access to Syria. It is our connection by members of the Free Syrian people. with local Jesuits and informal Army they set out at night to cross However, most Syrians who support networks of Christians the border into Jordan. “It was a have fled their homes are displaced and Muslims that allows us to long and difficult journey, rocky within their own country – an reach families in need,” says and steep. We walked in the dark estimated one and a half million. JRS International director Peter for three hours, afraid of coming Many move more than once Balleis SJ. JRS supports networks under fire any minute,” recalls because military operations target of Syrian volunteers of all ages, Selima. They were relieved when their refuge. Meanwhile hundreds religions and ethnic backgrounds the Jordanian military met them of thousands of Iraqi refugees who that want to reach out to fellow at the border and took them to a fled to Syria years ago are caught Syrians and ensure help is transit camp. up in the violence. One of them, delivered effectively to all.

11 serve Syria

Sheltering in a school in Aleppo. (Avo Kaprealian and Sedki Al Imam/JRS)

Thanks to these volunteer points across the city but it’s never In Homs, where the academic networks, JRS is coordinating enough. year was severely disrupted, some emergency relief services in Educational support, children were unable to attend Aleppo, Damascus and Homs. JRS counselling and activities such as school for more than a year. Since teams regularly visit the displaced sports and art give children the mid-April JRS has offered remedial families and, at JRS centres, chance to share their experiences. lessons every afternoon at two people register to receive food, “Helping children is one of our centres. Up to 800 children attend. accommodation, hygiene products, priorities. Even though they may “We hope that through establishing clothing, household items and not be direct victims, they suffer an educational routine we can basic medical assistance. A kitchen so much by being displaced and restore a sense of normalcy in their set up in Aleppo in August feeds witnessing this terrible situation, lives,” says Fr Nawras. During the more than 5,000 people twice the tragedy in their families and summer, activities for children a day, for breakfast and dinner. disruption of their lives,” says were also held in Damascus and in Volunteers hand out the food Nawras Sammour SJ, JRS Middle the shelters in Aleppo. in shelters and at distribution East director and himself a Syrian. Although some schools have reopened in Damascus and Homs, others remain closed. In Aleppo, Testimony they are closed because the fighting is too intense. Some 60,000 “We used to be one nation but the men in the neighbourhood, displaced people have sought now we are divided.” Mahmoud asking them to fight the protesters, shelter in schools, mosques, the fled Homs with Azra and their two we knew we had to leave.” Layla is university campus and abandoned children, Layla and Mustafa. In almost two and Mustafa five. Their buildings in the city. Sadly, Deir November 2011 protesters started to parents heard about children being Vartan, the first centre of JRS in gather for peaceful demonstrations abducted for ransom. “I was afraid in the city centre every Friday after something might happen to them Syria, which opened its doors to prayers. “The government set up in Homs,” says Azra. They took the Iraqi refugees and Syrians in more road blocks and nobody could leave. bus to Jordan and now they live in a peaceful times in 2008, was partly I saw them shoot protesters,” said small flat in Amman. “The Jordanians destroyed by fighting in September. Mahmoud. The young family lived are very friendly”, says Azra. “But Despite this setback, JRS remains in a part of the city controlled by life is difficult. We have used all our responsible for the operation of government forces. “When soldiers savings and it’s not easy to find a shelters in five schools in the city began to hand out weapons to all job.” and supports others.

12 Syria serve “So sad, it hurts, the latest news about Deir Vartan, shelter, safe haven, inspiration, teamwork, love, meetings, friendship, serving, lessons learned, hope… Stones can be destroyed, but not the spirit.”

Corry Verhage WHO helped set up Deir Vartan

JRS volunteer Philip Hamwi surrounded by children in Aleppo. (Avo Kaprealian and Sedki Al Imam/JRS)

In Jordan, Iraqi refugees reach easily fall through the cracks. religion or politics – to safeguard out to Syrian refugees living Syrian refugees also attend peace in exile. outside the overcrowded camps. JRS classes in English language Using religion to highlight “When I see Syrian families I and computer skills in eastern differences and ignite conflict is a remember when we were first Amman. Eleven year-old Doaa dangerous temptation for all sides refugees,” says Laith Eskander. attends lessons every day. She in this situation. But concrete The young man coordinates used to have many friends back in examples of solidarity beyond the family visits carried out by Syria but has not mingled much in religious and cultural borders give the JRS team, which is mostly Jordan. Instead, she grapples with reason to hope. “Bringing people composed of Iraqi volunteers. images of war and dead people together is not easy in such a They visit Syrians to show and the blast of explosions. The scenario,” says Fr Peter. “But we support, share useful information school is no substitute for regular see it working in our teams. They and connect them to helpful lessons but does help children like offer concrete help to all without services. This is important in Doaa to recover. There is a golden distinction, helping those suffering urban areas where refugees can rule: no one is allowed to talk to set their eyes on the future.”

Angelika Mendes/JRS “I want to be there for other refugees”

JRS social workers, Nawal and Her two mobile phones ring Adnan from Iraq, on a home visit continuously. Refugees get her in Amman. Both fled to Jordan number from other refugees, right in 2007 due to the war in Iraq. after crossing the border from Syria A mother of two, Nawal worked into Jordan. We tell her she needs as an air hostess with the Iraqi to look after herself too, to rest, national carrier for 12 years. In especially since she is fighting skin Amman, she has worked with cancer and facing surgery – if she several NGOs, and started with can find the money to pay for it. JRS last year. “They call me until But Nawal insists: “I want to serve midnight, I’m like their mother,” and help refugees, I want to be Nawal says about the refugees. there for them.”

13 serve Syria

Your support for the people of Syria Dear Friends, Each food package that JRS volunteers distribute in Syria keeps a family going for one month – a family that has lost its home and everything else because of the war. The packages weigh around 35 kg each and contain rice, bulgur wheat, beans, dates, tea, sugar, canned food and, for those who need it, baby food.

Networks of volunteers also distribute blankets, medicine and other essential items, and help refugees find a place to stay – a sign of solidarity in an otherwise divided country. JRS centres welcome children to learn and play. The good news is, you can help us help them.

¤30 | US$40 ¤80 | US$100 enables a child to attend one of our centres pays for a monthly food distribution for a month. With ¤25/US$30 more, you can package for a family of five. ensure a daily meal too.

¤100 | US$130 ¤1,500 | US$1,930 pays for a winter kit of clothes, jacket will feed a family of ten for six months. and shoes for one.

Go to jrs.net for the latest reports and to jrs.net/donate to make an online donation. In some countries, you may benefit from tax deductions by donating through our partner organisations. Our website tells you more. Thank you

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14 Focus on SGBV defend

FOCUS ON Sexual & gender- Prevent, protect, prosecute based violence Amaya Valcarcel, JRS International advocacy coordinator

JRS has joined the new in conflict is long overdue. These integral part of JRS projects in International Campaign to crimes destroy individuals, places as diverse as Democratic Stop Rape and Gender Violence families and communities and Republic of Congo (DRC), in Conflict. We bring to this undermine the very fabric Venezuela, Italy, India and Angola. urgently needed initiative years of society. Yet national and The new campaign is focusing of experience in protection international commitments to on Burma, Colombia, DRC and and prevention and the voice put an end to them are either Kenya; JRS is present in the last of displaced women who have inadequate or ignored. three and on the Thai side of the suffered or are threatened by such Rape has increasingly become border with Burma. atrocities. a weapon of war, leaving survivors The most valuable contribution The campaign was launched on scarred not only by physical JRS can make to the campaign 6 May 2012, a global collaboration trauma, but also by shame and is to bring the perspectives of between Nobel Peace Laureates, stigma that condemn them to directly affected women. After all, international organisations and silence or even blame. Impunity they are the ones who care most groups working at regional and for perpetrators is usually taken about the safety of their families community levels. There are for granted. and communities and their voices three pillars: to demand bold Sexual and gender-based are the most important. political leadership to prevent rape violence (SGBV) is an advocacy The enormity of the scourge of in conflict, to protect civilians priority for JRS because it is a rape in war invites us to believe it and rape survivors and call for threat that constantly hangs is simply impossible to eradicate. justice for all—including effective over refugees during conflict, But the prospect of motivated prosecution of those responsible. flight and exile. Prevention and joint action helps me to believe we More vigorous action to protection through education can make a real difference to stop address rape and gender violence and psychosocial healing are an these horrors.

A JRS class for displaced women in Masisi, eastern DRC. Recent studies reveal that 48 women and girls are sexually assaulted every hour in DRC. In the east, a region marked by conflict, the situation is especially severe. (JRS International)

Internet link

Visit the campaign website: stoprapeinconflict.org/

15 defend Focus on SGBV

Women at the JRS urban emergency project in Nairobi. (Gerry Straub/JRS) Kenya: It’s painful but not the end Stella Ngumuta, JRS Eastern Africa advocacy officer

Mary* wept bitterly as she told Mary found herself at high risk social workers help refugee women the JRS social worker about the of sexual abuse and exploitation. access health services, psychosocial multiple rapes she had undergone Difficulties in finding work and support, legal aid and other forms at the hands of her employer’s accessing social services left her of social assistance, and to find husband and two sons. “I sacrificed with few options. As a single alternative accommodation away my pride to take up work as a woman with children, Mary was from insecure areas or risky jobs. housekeeper because it was the especially vulnerable, because she JRS has witnessed first hand only form of livelihood I could find was perceived to be without male that SGBV is not confined to in Nairobi. Since I fled persecution “protectors” to shield her from women. Our social workers have and the killing of my husband in abusers. met refugee men and boys who Ethiopia in 2010, I had to find a JRS social workers in Nairobi were sexually abused, especially means of survival. I was desperate, have realised that many survivors in their home country, with a for without the work, my two who turn to the police are high number of cases from DRC. young daughters and I would be left without follow-up or legal For over three years, Patrick* without food or shelter.” protection. Often the police fail to lived with what he described as Mary said that while her take the women’s reports seriously; “unspeakable shame” after his employer was away, the latter’s they do not arrest perpetrators and sodomy ordeal at the hands of husband and sons would – it is difficult to prosecute owing rebel forces in North Kivu province separately – take turns in sexually to lack of proper compilation of in eastern DRC. He is receiving molesting her. She endured this evidence, witness protection or support from several agencies. abusive behaviour for two months, assurance of a fair trial. JRS is part of a working group fearing to lose her only income. On the other hand, survivors of on SGBV affecting refugees in When she finally found the courage sexual violence do not find it easy Nairobi. Mechanisms of ensuring to tell her employer, she was to disclose their ordeal, owing to trust and confidentiality are thrown out under false accusations the stigma and shame they face crucial between client and social that she had seduced the men. “I from fellow community members, worker, between different agencies felt so helpless and worthless! I which are aggravated when they working on the same cases. We could not believe the accusations, bear children as a result of rape. are committed to upholding the especially from a fellow woman.” To fill this gap, JRS in Nairobi has dignity of survivors of SGBV and Mary’s only request to JRS was for been educating refugee women – reversing the discriminatory a listening ear, to help her ease the partnering with the Church and effects they suffer to restore and pain, and re-assurance that her other agencies – about SGBV and reinforce their self-worth. dignity remained intact. how survivors can get support. Like other refugee women living Consequently, more women are in urban areas such as Nairobi, coming out to report cases. JRS * Names have been changed

16 Asia Pacific defend

Regional cooperation: an impossible dream? Oliver White & Dana MacLean, JRS Asia Pacific advocacy and communications

Millions of refugees and asylum trafficking; the risk of indefinite “I would rather be shot than wait seekers face tough challenges in detention. for this process to keep going their struggle to find safety in Asia indefinitely with no idea what is Pacific. With the lowest number Stemming pull factors happening,” he said. “I don’t want of signatories to the 1951 Refugee In recent years, Asian states to spend my life in this prison.” Convention in the world, this have increasingly sought to seal Nowhere is safe. Police in region* offers paltry protection to their borders by stemming pull Malaysia arrested David, from people on the move. The glaring factors, resorting to detention Burma, three times. “I don’t have a absence of national asylum laws and making it difficult to file UNHCR card and they told me and and standardised procedures for asylum claims. Asylum seekers are my friends they could do what they refugee status determination driven underground, where they wanted to us. They stole 200 ringgit has driven asylum seekers are exposed to exploitation and [local currency] from my wallet and underground. hazardous conditions, and denied my telephone.” Asia Pacific is home to some 10.6 access to health care, work, food, million forcibly displaced people. shelter and education. Promoting regional collaboration They are on the move for different But the push factors forcing In recent years the region has reasons: seeking economic survival people to leave their homes are seen increasingly large-scale or reunion with their families, always stronger so curbing the pull displacements. Armed conflict fleeing human rights violations. factors only leads to greater human in Afghanistan, Myanmar and, But their movements are marked rights violations and despair. until mid-2009, in Sri Lanka, by the same defining factors: fear; Mahmoud, an Afghan asylum persecution of ethnic minorities in dangerous journeys, often by boat; seeker detained in Indonesia, is Vietnam and ongoing oppression being smuggled and vulnerable to one victim of this hostile approach. of the Rohingya have continued

Detained for a year Pull quote Fifty-six-year-old Ali spent a year in detention in Indonesia until he received refugee status from UNHCR. He left his wife and 11 children back home in Afghanistan. Ali was among detainees who diligently attended English classes in the detention centre three times a week. (Paulus Enggal/JRS)

17 defend Asia Pacific to push people towards Australia. Australia has found a legal Transit countries along the way loophole by excising its territory – include Thailand, Indonesia and excluding parts from its migration Malaysia. The need for cross-border zone – in order to bypass its and regional collaboration has responsibility to process asylum never been greater, and the last few seekers arriving by boat. But it years have seen a rising interest in is doubtful that the new policies such collaboration. will stop people from arriving The Association of Southeast because the problem lies in the lack Asian Nations (ASEAN) has proven of durable solutions for refugees to be an inadequate space to elsewhere in the region. An Afghan encourage the protection of refugee refugee in Indonesia said: “I know rights. Under the Bali Process, a it’s a dangerous journey, and I don’t grouping of over 50 states and want to put myself and my family international organisations working at risk at sea, but it’s not a choice. to address people smuggling and If you give me and my family the trafficking, UNHCR has promoted right to work here, then we will stay a Regional Cooperation Framework here.” Internet link to be used as a guide for states to collaborate on migration issues. But The way forward Asylum seekers know better than anyone what is missing in terms although it has been well received, Cooperation, consistency and of their protection. Based on the framework is non-binding. subscribing to universally accepted their experiences, The Search is a One of the few examples of standards of protection are the way practical guide published by JRS bilateral cooperation has been forward to ensure more equitable Asia Pacific that gives accurate the Regional Cooperation Model, burden sharing for states and information to asylum seekers signed in 2001, between Australia to protect refugees transiting and refugees about the realities of and Indonesia in collaboration with through Asia Pacific. Standardising protection space within the region. the International Organisation procedures means refugees will To download The Search, go to for Migration (IOM). The aim is face the same treatment, no matter https://jrsap.org/Assets/ to support asylum seekers and where they go, and increasing Publications/File/The_Search.pdf refugees to prevent them from protection in transit countries such onward movement to Australia. But as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia such agreements fail without the will reduce the need for onward involvement of other host, transit movement. and resettlement countries. The Comprehensive Plan of As one of the most developed Action (CPA) initiated in the countries in the region, Australia 1980s as a response to the deaths offers the best capacity to protect of thousands of Vietnamese in refugees, but national security boats at sea facilitated durable interests and domestic politics solutions for Indochinese refugees, have undermined its ability to who were processed in transit lead by example. Recent decisions countries and either resettled in to embark on offshore processing the US, Australia and Canada or of asylum seekers in Nauru repatriated. Although far from and Manus defy the country’s perfect, the CPA exemplifies that obligations under the 1951 Refugee regional cooperation is possible if Convention and may seriously the political will is there. jeopardise refugee rights. Nearly 90% of people arriving by boat are convention refugees, according to * UNHCR definition, see unhcr.org/ the Refugee Council of Australia. pages/4a02d8ec6.html

18 reflection

“All that is not given is lost” Mark Raper SJ, former JRS International director

Pierre Ceyrac SJ died early on 30 May 2012 in Chennai at the age of 98. Pierre served with JRS in the camps of Cambodian refugees in Thailand from the early 1980s, indeed since the beginning of JRS. When Pierre died, a former JRS worker wrote, “an era of compassion without borders ends”. Some years ago, Pierre wrote in a reflection for the JRS website: “Without any merit on my part, I have lived an extraordinary human and religious life for more than 60 years along the borders of millennial civilisations. I have witnessed situations, whether in India or Cambodia, where the forces of evil and the forces of good ceaselessly confront At the Thai-Cambodian border, Pierre Ceyrac SJ standing firmly by a refugee in one of the camps. each other. My way of being a Jesuit (Kuangchi Programme Service) has become greatly simplified by all that I have lived through in both these countries… departed for Chennai in 1937, Pierre was fond of quoting All this could be summarised in the where he studied Tamil literature a line of a Tamil poet, great axiom of St John of the Cross: in addition to studies for Thayumanavar: “Apart from ‘My only work is to love.’ I find this priesthood. He was ordained in wanting people to be happy, I want phrase has two aspects that, more and 1945. nothing else from life, God.” And more, become only one: first, a growing he would refer to St John of the love for Jesus Christ – ‘He whom my Cross, who said: “At the end of our heart loves’ – a love that increasingly Compassion lives we will be judged by love.” pervades everything. But, secondly, Pierre was a wonderful friend this Jesus Christ is sought, found and without borders of the poor – he had an infectious loved in others, and above all in the optimism, a deep sense of God’s poor and those who suffer. And so one In 1980 Pierre went to Thailand love for all. On one occasion, at increasingly becomes ‘a man for others’. with a Caritas India team to help the Thai-Cambodian border, an To these two ways of identifying my Cambodian refugees who had exasperated UN official called way of being a Jesuit I would like to crossed the border in great numbers Pierre an “unguided missile”. add a third: being a man of the Ignatian as the Vietnamese army battled the Pierre fretted for a short time, magis, striving for the greater glory of Khmer Rouge. Pierre and several fearing the official would prevent God in the footsteps of Xavier – always Jesuit companions, notably John him from entering the camps. more, always further, always further to Bingham and Noel Oliver, stayed But on seeing that he was still new shores!” on to be the founding members of unrestrained, he delighted in Born on 4 February 1914 in a JRS programme for Asia Pacific. the epithet, because it labelled France, Pierre entered the Society They accompanied the Cambodian him as a person who was free. of Jesus in 1931. Destined for refugees until their return in the He certainly was free, and his India, he studied Sanskrit and early 1990s. freedom brought joy to many.

19 Jesuit Refugee Service Return address Borgo S. Spirito 4, (please send back obsolete address too) 00193 Rome, Italy Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, St Aloysius Sports Complex, TEL: +39 06 69 868 465 50, Triq ix-Xorrox, www.jrs.net FAX: +39 06 69 868 461 Birkirkara, Malta

Servir is edited, produced and printed in Malta Design by

JRS projects in Asia featured in an exhibition of photos by Don Doll SJ held from 7 to 16 October at the Asian World Center of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in the US.

Fr Don, a well-known Jesuit photographer, has travelled the world photographing Jesuit works, especially for JRS in Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, DRC, Chad, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Since 1969 Doll has lived and worked at Creighton University, where he is a professor of journalism holding the Charles and Mary Heider Endowed Jesuit Chair. Fr Don’s work can be seen on his website: http://magis.creighton.edu Photo exhibition His latest book, A Call to Vision: A Jesuit’s Perspective on the World can be purchased through by Don Doll SJ the website.