Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Jesuit organizations have served and accompanied 100, 765 people fleeing violence in Ukraine. Photo: Sergi Camara
‘Working together to keep hope alive’
As war continues to rage two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the support received by thousands of displaced Ukrainians from organizations like the Xavier Network, of which Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) is a member, remains crucial than ever.
The situation in Ukraine remains dire, with the number of people in need of assistance projected to reach 14.6 million this year, said the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), which coordinates Jesuit relief efforts for Ukrainians and works in tandem with the Xavier Network. CJI, which has channeled donations received for the Ukrainian relief effort through JRS Europe, raised $223,105, thanks to the generosity of its Canadian supporters.
A JRS shelter in Ukraine offers psychosocial support, that includes a therapy dog that interacts with children. Photo: Sergi Camara/JRS Europe
More than six million people have fled the war and sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia, and across Europe. Ukraine hosts 3.7 million internally displaced people, according to the International Organization for Migration.
“A notable phenomenon is the continuous movement of about 1.8 million people back and forth into Ukraine, exposing themselves to protection risks, notably human trafficking, bombings and missile rockets,” said JRS Europe in its latest one-year report.
In response to the massive need, last year JRS supported 44,723 individuals in areas such as food, housing, mental health and psychosocial support, education, health care, integration, and peacebuilding.
“When combined with previous efforts, this sums up to 100,765 refugees aided since the inception of the conflict,” said the report. The number of people served surpassed the set target of 73,000 over a three-year period (2022-2025), JRS noted.
JRS reported that it has shifted its response from emergency relief to a focus on “mid-and-long-term inclusion of refugees,” following a needs assessment conducted in 2023.
“The assessment revealed that the lack of inclusion, spanning access to jobs, health services, and suitable housing, poses a grave threat to the integration of Ukrainian refugees, with the potential for their return to Ukraine, even to war zones,” said the report.
JRS helps to ensure that Ukrainian refugee children can continue their education even in the midst of uncertainty. Photo: Sergi Camara/JRS Europe
Refugees identified education as a major concern, and identified barriers to securing one, such as language, lack of recognition of certificates and diplomas, and diverse educational systems. They also sought vocational training opportunities for adults, educational activities, and childcare, to help address concerns over livelihood.
Housing also emerged as a pressing issue, exacerbated by skyrocketing rent, lack of government funds, diminishing landlord hospitality, and low income among refugees.
Pervasive stigma, trauma and distress from the war and current living conditions and continuing uncertainty over their future remains an issue that requires mental health and psychosocial support.
JRS Europe said it has set up awareness raising programs to help address issues such as discrimination and bullying. “Local communities, facing fatigue, require sustained efforts to remain engaged. The shifting political discourse and changes within political parties add another layer of complexity to the situation,” said JRS Europe.
JRS said it has directed intensive efforts toward refugees living in Lviv, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Moldova, where the need for assistance has been greater. This year, it has also sent funds to support projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland.
The funds not only address the immediate needs of Ukrainian refugees but also focuses on “actively facilitating their integration into host societies,” said JRS.
In recent weeks, the UN has urged member states and the international community to contribute to its humanitarian appeal for 2024, noting that its $3.1 billion annual appeal is currently only 10% funded.
