The cornerstone of the JRS mission is to offer holistic services to forcibly displaced persons. All the subsidies in the world will never be able to replace importance of recognising and acknowledging the human dignity in refugees. It is this direct and personal approach of individual interaction and cooperation with refugees which mutually empowers refugees and JRS personnel alike. It is through providing accompaniment to refugees, touched by their reality in camps, conflict zones, detention centres or wherever else they may be, that JRS staff understand how best to serve and advocate on their behalf.
Not infrequently, accompaniment is a way of offering protection, and 'internationalising' a situation. The presence of an international team can sometimes prevent attacks on refugees. Moreover, presence can be a sign, that a free person chooses willingly and faithfully to accompany those who are not free, who have no choice about being there. This, is itself a sign, a way of eliciting hope. Our accompaniment affirms that God is present in human history, even in its most tragic episodes.
