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Recommended Reading

JRS/USA Staff Recommendations for Further Reading:

"Millions Uprooted: Saving Refugees and the Displaced"
by António Guterres
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees argues that the twenty-first century will be characterized by the mass movement of people being pushed and pulled within and beyond their borders by conflict, calamity, or opportunity. At few times in history have so many people been on the move. The extent of human mobility today is blurring the traditional distinctions between refugees, internally displaced people, and international immigrants. Yet attempts by the international community to devise policies to preempt, govern, or direct these movements in a rational manner have been erratic."

FAILED RESPONSIBILITY: IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA, JORDAN AND LEBANON
In a July 10, 2008 report, the International Crisis Group states that "Iraq's refugee crisis--with some two and a half million outside the country and the same number internally displaced--ranks as the world's second in terms of numbers, preceded only by Afghanistan and ahead of Sudan. While the security situation in Iraq show progress, the refugee crisis will endure for some time and could worsen if that progress proves fleeting."

UNHCR 2007 Global Trends: Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Returnees, Internally Displaced and Stateless Persons
While the number of refugees and IDPs falling under UNHCR’s responsibility was estimated at 25.1 million, available information suggests that a total of 67 million people had been forcibly displaced at the end of 2007. This includes 16 million refugees and 51 million internally displaced worldwide, some 26 million were displaced as a result of armed conflict and another 25 million displaced by natural disasters.

"Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal: Anticipating the Impact of Resettlement" by Susan Banki.
The author presents a preliminary forecast of the impacts to remaining populations of the mass resettlement of Bhutanese refugees currently residing in Nepal. In summary, the forecast is mixed for the remaining population, with some aspects of life expected to improve while other elements may worsen.

Latest News

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: HEAVY FIGHTING CAUSES MASSIVE DISPLACEMENT
Thousand of civilians have fled heavy clashes between government forces, Mayi-Mayi groups and troops loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda’s Nation Congress for People’s Defence (CNDP) in eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Posted 18 September 2008.

CÔTE D'IVOIRE: EFFORTS TO CONTAIN DEADLY LAND DISPUTES CONTINUE
On 10 September, the Ivorian government published a draft bill clarifying rural land ownership rights. Originally passed 10 years ago, it has now been amended to give rural landowners a certificate stating their land can be leased but not resold. The draft bill allows non-Ivorian heirs who acquired full ownership of the land before 1998 to keep their land titles. Posted 18 September 2008.

SOUTH AFRICA: DEADLINE NEARS FOR CLOSING REFUGEE SHELTERS
On 4 September, government spokesperson, Themba Maseko stated that the deportation process would begin for undocumented migrants in the country after the temporary shelters will be closed at the end of September. Documented migrants would either have to move back to their former communities or find alternative accommodation, he added. Posted 18 September 2008.

CAMBODIA: ANOTHER LANDMINE EXPLOSION CLAIMS LIVES
On 5 September, a truck hit an anti-tank landmine, killing at least five people and wounding another three. According to the police, the victims of the accident in the northwestern district of Veng included women and children who were travelling in a truck carrying rice to a mill. Posted 18 September 2008.

INDONESIA: TENSION IN ACEH AS ELECTION DATE NEARS
According to a report by the International Crisis Group, released on 9 September, tension between former rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the country’s armed forces risks unsettling the 2005 peace deal. Posted 18 September 2008.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: JRS ENDORSES THE NATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL
On 8 September, JRS Dominican Republic welcomed the publication of the latest position paper by the national business council (CONEP - Consejo Nacional de la Empresa Privada). Posted 18 September 2008.

CHAD: SECONDARY EDUCATION TO BEGIN IN TWO REFUGEE CAMPS
Between 11 and 18 August, in agreement with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and Secadev (the local Caritas office), JRS undertook a feasibility study on the possibility of providing secondary education in Mile and Kounoungou camps. From next 1 October, JRS will begin providing secondary education in the two refugee camps in Guéréda, eastern Chad. Posted 18 September 2008.

CAMBODIA: FORMER JRS STAFF MEMBER PASSES AWAY
On 4 August, former JRS Cambodia staff member, Fr Vincent Dierckx SJ, died at the age of 87. He had returned to his native Belgium in 2005 after being made bedridden from a fall. Posted 18 September 2008.

UNICEF HIGHLIGHTS THE USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS IN THE COLOMBIAN CONFLICT
The persistent problem of the targeting and forced recruitment of children into armed groups remains a key reason for displacement in Colombia. A recent study by the UN examines the impact of this trend upon rural communities and calls for an end to the kidnapping and recruitment of children into the Colombian armed conflict.

SEPTEMBER 2008: PRAYING WITH REFUGEES
The Church and Refugees: Healing a Shameful World. Posted 31 August 2008.

EASTERN AFRICA: FOOD CRISIS ON THE HORIZON
Droughts and increases in cereal and fuel prices have caused a serious food crisis in the region. Posted 31 August 2008.

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Spotlight on Issues

Spotlight on the Refugee Food Crisis
In the past year, most of us have become increasingly concerned about rapidly rising food and energy prices. Since 2007, international food prices have gone up 54% with cereal prices rising 94%. Rising oil and energy prices have been major contributors to the price rise, as has higher demand from developing countries such as China and India. According to the World Food Program, the increasing use of agricultural land for the production of biofuel crops rather than food has also contributed to the crisis, as have droughts and other natural disasters which have reduced this year’s harvests in a number of locations. All of this amounts to "a perfect storm" of factors all leading to greater scarcity and higher prices.

Spotlight on Ecuador
Ecuador struggles to provide safe haven and services for a largely neglected and invisible Colombian refugee population.

Spotlight on Southern Sudan
Steady progress in return of refugees to south Sudan but work of rebuilding has just begun.