JRS Asia Pacific Region

19/05/2026

Strengthening partnerships for people and the planet. 🌱

On May 15, 2026, Ms. Marissa del Rosario-Blackett, Climate and Forced Displacement Advisor of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Asia Pacific, and Joan Llamado, Project Director of JRS Philippines, met with BDO Foundation led by its President, Mr. Mario Deriquito, at the foundation’s office.

As an implementing partner, JRS Philippines shared updates on Project CARE (Community Action to Conserve, Adapt, Rehabilitate, and Engage for the Environment) — a Mangrove Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Livelihood Management initiative in Binitinan, Balingasag and Buko, Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental.

Together, we continue to work toward resilient communities, environmental stewardship, and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable coastal communities. 🌊🌿

Action

17/05/2026

08/05/2026

On 30 April 2026, the RACPA project convened a Regional Conference titled "Protecting Rights and Dignity in Climate Mobility" in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together approximately 35 participants from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The workshop drew on research and lived experience from multiple countries to examine how policies affect the protection of island and coastal communities displaced by climate change and disaster risk. Participants explored lessons learned from climate mobility programmes and reviewed frameworks that addressed cross-border displacement in the region.

Participants included community partners from Indonesia and the Philippines, sub-national government representatives, JRS Asia Pacific and RACPA consortium partners (ESSC and Percik), regional interfaith networks, academic and research institutions, UN agencies, and international NGOs, reflecting the multi-stakeholder collaboration essential to advancing climate protection.

07/05/2026

From 27–29 April 2026, the Research and Advocacy for Climate Policy and Action (RACPA) project brought together project coordinators, civil society representatives, and community partners from Indonesia and the Philippines for its Annual Meeting and Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand.

Over three intensive days, participants reviewed project progress, strengthened shared priorities, and shaped the strategic direction for Year 4-5, defining pathways across the project's three core outcome areas: research, advocacy and policy change, and community resilience.

The workshop produced concrete results: agreed Theory of Change pathways and exit routes, a consolidated Year 4 workplan with sequenced activities and indicators, and completed budget and MEAL implementation frameworks, which provided a strong foundation for the project's final year of implementation.

The Research and Advocacy for Climate Policy and Action (RACPA) is a five-year initiative, supported by the Australian Government through Caritas Australia, that works on climate change and human mobility across Southeast Asia. Implemented by a consortium of JRSAP, Environmental Science for Social Change, and Lembaga PERCIK Salatiga, the project grounds its advocacy in field research conducted alongside vulnerable communities in Indonesia and the Philippines.

29/04/2026

🌏 2026 Spring LuceSEA Webinar #4 - Imagining Borders: Nationality, Mobility and Belonging in Southeast Asia

Our last webinar of the 2026 Spring LuceSEA series is almost here! ✨

This timely webinar discusses how Southeast Asian borderlands live, negotiate, and challenge national boundaries. From disputes to statelessness. By discussing Stateless populations, informal crossings, and temporary migrations, this session rethinks nationality and belonging through the lived realities of border communities.

📅 Wednesday, April 29, 2026
⏰ 3:00 - 4:30 PM (HST) / 6:00 - 7:30 PM (PDT) / 9:00 - 10:30 PM (EST)
📍 Online (Zoom)
🔗 https://hawaii.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zdapXCvzRieEKqpxLPW87w #/registration

Registration required. Hosted by the UH Center for Southeast Asian Studies with support from the Henry Luce Foundation.

Please join us in celebrating another successful round of LuceSEA webinar! ✨🎉

29/04/2026

15/04/2026

🌱 Mangrove Planting for Our Common Home 🌊

A total of 5,000 mangroves were successfully planted in Buko, Kinoguitan (April 9, 2026) and Binitinan, Balingasag (April 10, 2026). The species planted include bakhaw lalaki (Rhizophora apiculata), pagatpat puti (Sonneratia alba), and piapi (Avicennia rumphiana).

This meaningful activity was organized by JRS Philippines, through the support of BDO Foundation and Xavier University McKeough Advancement for Environment, Resilience and Sustainability Center, and in collaboration with members of our partner people’s organization who led the planting efforts. We were also joined by representatives from Xavier University Biophilic Society, the Sangguniang Kabataan of Binitinan and Balingasag, and the Balingasag Philippine National Police.

As part of Project CARE, this initiative highlights our shared responsibility to protect and restore our environment. Mangroves play a vital role in supporting local communities—they serve as natural barriers against storm surges, help prevent coastal erosion, provide breeding grounds for fish and marine life, and contribute to food security and livelihoods.

In the spirit of Laudato Si’, we are reminded that caring for creation is a shared mission. Through small but meaningful actions like planting mangroves, we take part in nurturing and safeguarding our common home for present and future generations.

🌿 Together, let us continue to care, protect, and act.

08/04/2026

JRS Indonesia newsletter REFUGE April 2026

Bahasa Indonesia https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vntUi4aIFFivyhoXPobkalecBJvJ4oxh/view?usp=drive_link
English https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jHn8qWs_UA4osstW040hRVJl7r43yBqE/view?usp=drive_link

05/04/2026

This Easter, we hold space for those living in displacement, trusting that hope can still emerge, even in uncertain ground.

03/04/2026

On this Good Friday, we pause and remember people forced to flee their homes.

Across the world, many continue their journeys in search of safety. May we remain present to them, not only today, but in how we choose to accompany, serve, and stand in solidarity.