De facto refugees homeless and sleeping on the street outside the UNHCR’s office in Jakarta

Ahead of World Day of Migrants and Refugees on 29 September, Jesuit Mission Australia is urgently appealing for assistance for thousands of “de facto” refugees in Indonesia, who are not recognised under UN law. The United Nations is cutting funding for some of the most vulnerable refugees in Indonesia due to a severe shortage of funds and the need to prioritise other global crises.

Under UN law, only individuals who are “persecuted because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion” are recognised as refugees. This definition excludes women, men, and children who have involuntarily fled their home countries to escape armed conflicts, poor economic policies, or natural disasters.

Denied refugee status, permanent residency, or citizenship and prohibited from working or accessing education, these de facto refugees in Indonesia, numbering over 13,000, face extremely challenging and precarious lives.

Jesuit Mission Australia, in collaboration with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Indonesia, is supporting individuals like Sophie, a 30-year-old woman who, along with her family, has been denied refugee status and remains trapped in legal limbo.

Her family’s harrowing journey began in Myanmar when, after joining a peaceful uprising, they became targets of the military. Witnessing the military’s brutal violence, the family fled in fear for their lives until they reached Indonesia, where they initially lived on the streets in a makeshift camp, struggling to survive.

Sophie (right), her mum, and uncle receiving food parcels and essential supplies

“The United Nations has now confirmed they have substantially reduced their funding to UNHCR Indonesia, leaving 850 de facto refugees with no support from July and another 380 from next year,” said Fr Dam Febrianto SJ, Country Director of JRS Indonesia.

But with support from Australian donors and JRS Indonesia, Sophie’s family and around 1,000 de facto refugees each year have been provided with food, healthcare, education, and financial assistance for rent.

“Demands for support from organisations like ours are already increasing. We urgently need your help to respond,” said Fr Dam.

In his annual message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024, Pope Francis emphasises, “God walks with His people.” Regardless of who we are, we are made in God’s image and likeness, as one family.

On arriving in Indonesia recently, Pope Francis immediately met with a group of refugees hosted by Jesuit Mission’s project partner JRS Indonesia and other extremely vulnerable women, men, and children. Pope Francis, a consistent advocate on behalf of migrants and refugees said, “They are close to my heart.”

Recently, Sophie’s family received news that they may have the opportunity to resettle in Canada. Jesuit Mission and JRS Indonesia are working tirelessly to improve quality of life, give hope, and advocate for the rights of de facto refugees.

With UN funding cuts and increasing demands, Jesuit Mission Australia is appealing for donations to help support de facto refugees in Indonesia.

• $250 could provide rent for one de facto refugee family for one month.
• $100 could train a refugee collaborator to teach livelihood skills (eg tailoring) to refugees.
• $60 could provide an emergency food and essential items kit for one de facto refugee.

To donate, visit https://jesuitmission.org.au/indonesia.