Indonesia

Number of people served: 1,723

Located below continental Southeast Asia and above Australia, Indonesia is surrounded by countries hosting large numbers of asylum seekers and refugees, such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia. As such, the country is regularly affected by the movements of forced migrants.

Because Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, many displaced people find themselves extremely vulnerable and marginalised once they arrive in the country. As of December 2017, Indonesia hosted almost 14,000 refugees from 49 countries, with half coming from Afghanistan.

Our work in Indonesia

For the past 30 years, JRS Indonesia has accompanied, served, and advocated for refugees and other displaced people living in urban areas and detention centres.

JRS Indonesia currently provides crucial psychosocial support, emergency support, and education to refugees. JRS Indonesia is also involved in advocacy and protection efforts.

Education
JRS class at the Baan Mai Naison tempary shelter area, or Karenni Refugee camp, about an hours drive from Mae Hong Son, Thailand.
Education
Psychosocial Support
JRS team member visits detained people
Psychosocial Support
Emergency Assistance
Rohingya children run around Kuala Langsa camp in Aceh, Indonesia.
Emergency Assistance
Advocacy
El equipo del JRS Camboya defiende la prohibición de las minas antipersona
Advocacy
Protection
Accompaniment at JRS Asia Pacific
Protection

See our work

Children run during a simulation of an emergency evacuation organised by the JRS Disaster Preparedness teams in the village of Lawe Sawah, Indonesia.
Children run during a simulation of an emergency evacuation organised by the JRS Disaster Preparedness team in the village of Lawe Sawah. (Jesuit Refugee Service)
Dr. Tine, volunteer at JRS Indonesia, shows a refugee from Afghanistan the best exercises to alleviate his backpain.
Dr. Tine, volunteer at JRS Indonesia, shows a refugee from Afghanistan the best exercises to alleviate his backpain. (Denis Bosnic/Jesuit Refugee Service)
Leaning to swim helped Najib, an Afghan refugee living in Indonesia, to cope with stress.
Leaning to swim helped Najib, an Afghan refugee living in Indonesia, to cope with stress. (Denis Bosnic/Jesuit Refugee Service)
Sari teaches refugees the Indonesia national language to help them integrate in their new communities.
Sari teaches refugees the Indonesia national language to help them integrate in their new communities. (Denis Bosnic/Jesuit Refugee Service)

Stories





40th Anniversary: Supporting services from afar 03 Mar 2021
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Indonesia: Refugee’s handicrafts and embroideries 03 Dec 2020
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40th Anniversary: I will be there for refugees 15 Nov 2020
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Contact

JRS Indonesia Country Director

Fr Thomas Aquinas Maswan Susinto SJ

indonesia@jrs.or.id

Project locations:

Bogor, Cisarua (Java Island), Yogyakarta (Java Island), Medan (northern Sumatra), Manado (North Sulawesi)

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