EDUCATION is their best /DEFENSE/

©JRS Líbano

Colombia

The dynamics of conflict persist in Colombia, severely affecting the most vulnerable groups, such as ethnic communities in Buenaventura and other municipalities in Valle del Cauca, who have been forcibly displaced due to the conflict.

Since the resurgence of internal armed conflict in 2022, armed groups have been present in the area, expanding their territorial control in both rural and urban areas, causing displacement, confinement, mobility restrictions, and urgent needs for food security, healthcare, and protection.

©FE Y ALEGRÍA COLOMBIA

In 2024 alone, 317 armed conflict events were identified, directly affecting more than 44,000 children and adolescents.

Together with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), we are working along several lines:

- Formal education as a protection strategy in schools and non-formal educational settings, promoting safety and protecting children from forced recruitment and involvement in illegal activities.

- Protection strategy through case management for individuals and families to meet their basic needs and ensure their rights from a protection-based approach.

- Legal guidance and psychosocial support for displaced or confined communities, in line with national and international protection measures, collective rights, community practices, and cultural values.

Ukraine and bordering countries

Since the war in Ukraine began, more than 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Over 6 million have sought refuge in other European countries.

©CONCORDIA MOLDOVA

©JRS RUMANIA

In this context of prolonged humanitarian crisis, we have supported, together with JRS, more than 120,000 displaced people in vulnerable situations. Our response has been comprehensive, providing 612,606 individual services, including emergency humanitarian aid, shelter, psychosocial support, education, and social and labor integration.

Despite the suffering and uncertainty, solidarity remains a source of hope.

Thanks to the support of thousands of people, we continue working to stand by those who need us most and to expand our reach.

Lebanon

The recent conflict in Lebanon has caused the massive displacement of more than 1,200,000 people, both within the country and to neighboring countries such as Syria.

©CARMEN MORENO

©IVÁN BENÍTEZ

Together with JRS Lebanon, we are working on the following lines of action to support the most affected people:

- Distribution of food, hygiene kits, and essential items

- Temporary shelters for internally displaced persons

- Psychosocial support for affected individuals, including Psychological First Aid (PFA), through both individual and group sessions

- Distribution of clothing kits

- Distribution of emergency financial assistance

We also continue the work we have been doing in the country for over ten years, focusing on education, psychosocial care, shelter, and livelihoods, supporting thousands of people—both Lebanese and refugees of other nationalities.

Syria

During the war in Lebanon, we established a center in Homs together with JRS Syria to support forcibly displaced people. Groups of people have arrived from the north of the country as well as from Lebanon, increasing pressure on housing. Tensions between different groups continue to rise, and the escalation of violence is concerning.

©JRS SIRIA

In response to this situation, we continue working on:

- Primary care: providing winter kits, food baskets, and family support

- Access to education:
  - - Offering different levels of learning adapted to the abilities of displaced and refugee children in Syria or those in vulnerable situations, and providing school kits
  - - Delivering literacy and numeracy classes, retention support, learning support, teacher training, summer camps, and activities

- Conflict management and peacebuilding training: working with families and the community

- ITargeted psychosocial support: through structured group sessions for parents, families, and children and adolescents

- Access to healthcare: providing medical services, including pediatric and gynecological care

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Since January, the long-standing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached dramatic levels. Fighting has displaced more than two million people from their homes, exposing thousands around Goma (North Kivu province) to the actions of various militias. The population is facing a lack of basic supplies such as water, food, and electricity

Girls and women are disproportionately affected by the violence, facing group assaults and other forms of abuse and violence

If the fighting is not contained, it could spread throughout the Great Lakes region

©BÁRBARA GIL

Together with our partner JRS D.R. Congo, we are working to:

- Provide food and non-food items, especially for newly displaced people

- Offer psychosocial support to those injured in recent clashes in Goma and Masisi

- Address cases of sexual violence

- Rehabilitate and equip schools that have been affected

- Protect unaccompanied and separated children

- Continue supporting displaced populations with sustainable livelihoods

Kenya

Kenya is one of the main destination countries for refugees fleeing conflicts in countries such as South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and the D.R. Congo.

The Kakuma refugee camp, which hosts more than 292,000 people, was originally established as a transit point but has become a permanent community for many families who have lived there for decades.

©PAULA CASADO

Together with JRS, with the support of ECHO, we have been working in Kakuma for over a decade to ensure that children and young people displaced by violence in their home countries can access safe and quality education. Our focus includes:

- Increasing school enrollment and retention, including for out-of-school children, girls at risk, teenage mothers, and older students

- Improving the quality of education in primary and secondary schools

- Strengthening the safety and well-being of students and teachers in schools

- Providing emergency assistance to populations displaced by conflict or natural disasters

- Building resilience in children, families, and communities through training in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

- Ofrecer capacitaciones en protección infantil y salvaguardia, y protección contra la explotación, el abuso y el acoso sexual.