Coordinated by JRS Europe and the Xavier Network, in collaboration with JRS country offices, NGOs and local partners, the Society of Jesus has accompanied 79.767 people in the first 18 months since the start of the war in Ukraine. This includes 23.725 people who have been supported by the organizations of the Jesuits in the starting half of 2023, according to the latest One Proposal report.

As the war drags on and people’s needs evolve, the response has been adapted to increase medium and long-term support. Education, long-term shelter, integration, and psychosocial support have been the key needs addressed by the 32.364 different activities carried out in 2023.

Alberto Ares Mateos SJ, regional director of JRS Europe, highlighted: “We have been responding in Ukraine, neighbouring countries, and countries around Europe since the start of the war and we are committed to continue doing it. By constantly assessing the needs and including the people we serve in the design of this response, we ensure that we are supporting where it is needed the most”.

“These efforts could not have been possible without the enormous continuous solidarity of so many people, foundations and organizations who trust in the work of the Society of Jesus. Thank you so much”, he expressed.

While in the first year of the response short-term aid accounted for 60% of the services, that number has fallen to 22%. This relative decline has to do with the doubling of medium-term support to 42% and the more than tripling of long-term support to 35%.

The One Proposal, which was presented in July 2022 after an in-depth needs assessment, encompasses a wide range of services to be provided to a projected 73,168 people over the course of 3 years.

It addresses the needs of forcibly displaced Ukrainians across Europe, from the immediate humanitarian response and emergency assistance in Ukraine and its neighbours to long-term programmes to promote and integrate refugees.

Therefore, it will benefit internally displaced people, refugees of Ukrainian nationality and refugees of other nationalities, displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.

The report, as well as dozens of stories of the people being helped through the One Proposal, are available at jrseurope.org/en/project/the-one-proposal/. You can also find more information about how to donate and/or take action to help refugees and other forcibly displaced people.