Key Takeaways
- Protection is about safeguarding dignity, safety, and hope for refugees and displaced peoples.
- It is realized through diverse activities such as education, mental‑health support, economic inclusion, and advocacy.
- Each JRS staff member views protection as a relational, not just procedural, act of accompaniment.
- Listening, presence, and small gestures can shift the trajectory of a person’s life.
- Humanitarian work affirms that every refugee matters and is never forgotten.
Introduction
Protecting refugees and other individuals forced to flee their homes is a daily mission carried out by JRS staff across the globe. Our definition of protection centers on treating each person with dignity, honoring their rights, and providing the support necessary to rebuild a life in a new community. This mission manifests in many forms—education, psychosocial assistance, economic integration, reconciliation initiatives, and pastoral care. In observance of World Humanitarian Day, several JRS colleagues share personal reflections on how protection is lived out through their work of accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees as they reconstruct their futures.
Théophile’s Perspective
Théophile Oniandon Atcha serves as Project Director and Head of the JRS office in Bagasola, Chad. He explains that his motivation to work in the humanitarian sector stems from a deep desire to improve the well‑being of vulnerable populations. Over time, witnessing the hardships faced by refugees and the communities JRS serves has reinforced his commitment to stand beside them. For Théophile, protection encompasses actions that guarantee safety, dignity, well‑being, and personal development. He emphasizes that presence, listening, advocacy, and timely support can restore confidence and enable individuals to move forward despite obstacles. Every act of protection sends a powerful message that a brighter tomorrow is possible for those who have been displaced.
Mia’s Perspective
Fransisca Dwi Indah Asmiarsi, known as Mia, joined JRS Indonesia in 2012, paused briefly, and returned in 2018 before assuming the role of Interim Country Director. Her years of accompanying refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons have taught her that humanitarian work is both a service and an affirmation of human dignity. She believes that a simple presence, a listening ear, or a modest act of kindness can remind displaced individuals that they are not forgotten. To Mia, protection means creating environments where every person feels safe, respected, and heard, while also safeguarding physical safety, rights, mental health, and hope for the future.
Doreen’s Perspective
Doreen Kyampeire works as the Child, Youth and Family Counsellor and Safeguarding Focal Person with JRS Uganda. Her role focuses on protecting refugee children and supporting families, ensuring access to safety and psychosocial services amidst the challenges of displacement. Doreen is profoundly motivated by the resilience she observes daily, especially the optimism that persists despite unimaginable hardships. She sees protection as more than responding to emergencies; it involves standing beside people when they feel invisible, listening without judgment, and guaranteeing that they receive needed support. For Doreen, protection at JRS is expressed through accompaniment—building relationships, advocating for the most vulnerable, and reminding refugees that they matter and are never alone.
Juanita’s Perspective
Juanita Bedoya Palacio serves as the Regional Education Coordinator for JRS Latin America and the Caribbean. A defining moment in her career involved accompanying families on the move from Venezuela to Colombia, where she encountered a seven‑year‑old boy with whom she played simple maths using small fruits. This experience illustrated to her how education in emergencies can be a potent act of protection, care, and dignity. Juanita defines protection as each human encounter, responsible decision, and principled approach that places dignity first. By balancing humanitarian compassion with technical rigor, she strives to create safer spaces where refugees can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Conclusion
Across diverse contexts—from Chad and Indonesia to Uganda and Latin America—the JRS staff illustrate that protection is a multifaceted, relational practice. It extends beyond the delivery of services to include listening deeply, offering presence, and affirming the inherent worth of every displaced person. Whether through education, psychosocial support, advocacy, or simply a small act of kindness, each intervention contributes to safeguarding dignity and fostering hope. The collective voice of Théophile, Mia, Doreen, and Juanita reinforces that humanitarian work is, at its core, a commitment to never let a refugee be forgotten, and that every effort to protect them helps build a more humane and compassionate world.