A Call to Support Essential Jesuit Works
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Fe y Alegría are the two largest Jesuit networks at the margins of exclusion. With over 110 years of experience between them, Fe y Alegría (founded in 1955; present in 22 countries) and JRS (founded in 1980; present in 57 countries) provide education, livelihoods, mental health support, and emergency assistance, including food and medicine, to vulnerable people on nearly every continent on Earth.
Like many programs around the globe, JRS and Fe y Alegría programs were impacted by the U.S. government’s decision to suspend all foreign aid. More concretely, over 120,000 individuals in places such as Chad, El Salvador, Paraguay, and South Sudan have been affected, with $23 million USD in aid now paused.
Transparency and accountability are essential and strong values for us. The long history of our institutions managing government funding—including JRS, Fe y Alegría, and members of the Xavier Network–demonstrates our commitment to these principles. This pause, though, will put additional strain on private philanthropy and multilateral organizations, both of which are essential to sustaining our programs.
As a result, we must act now.
To mitigate the immediate impact of the U.S. foreign aid pause, we must raise $2 million USD in the short term. We are asking for unrestricted gifts to ensure we can respond where the need is the greatest in the coming days and months.
At a time of great uncertainty, we are called to step forward in faith and solidarity. Caring
for our neighbor—both near and far—is not a contradiction; it is our Christian duty.
Now more than ever, your solidarity and support are crucial to continue the vital work of Fe y Alegría and JRS.
To support JRS and Fe y Alegría, kindly click on the links below: