MERCY REFUGEE SERVICE OVERSEAS

Since its inception in 1984, MRS has worked with refugees and displaced people in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Phillipines, Uganda, Ethiopia, Angola, Colombia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Southern Sudan and East Timor. Much of this work has been done inpartnership with the Jesuit Refugee Service (www.jesref.org - opens in a new window).

Today, Mercy Refugee Service in Africa assists Southern Sudanese people who have been displaced by years of civil war. As well, we are involved in the support and local integration of West Papuan refugees who are living in the border area of Papua New Guinea and Wets Papua. In recent times, MRS has also been involved in education and health projects in Thailand and East Timor and affirmative action education projects for girls in Northern Uganda.

MRS also works with like-minded organisations to advocate on behalf of the refugee populations that it works alongside. In addition, we support the work of the 'Ban Landmines' campaign and the 'Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers'.

Mercy Refugee Service and Kiunga PNG

In 2002 the Mercy Refugee Service responded to an invitation from Bishop Giles Cote of the Diocese of Daru Kiunga, Western Province of PNG to explore the possibility of responding to the needs of the West Papuan Refugees in PNG. Sr Maureen Sexton conducted a needs assessment of the situation of the refugees, in consultation with the Pastoral Planning Process being undertaken by the Bishop. In the light of Maureen's needs assessment it was recommended that Mercy Refugee Service accept an invitation from the Bishop of Daru-Kiunga in the Western Province for two fieldworkers to be involved in a partnership with the Diocese focusing on the West Papuan refugees along the border.

Cathy Corbett and Maureen Sexton are the two sisters currently working in Kiunga PNG. Their reports are made available to read in the Reports section below.

Mercy Refugee Service and Southern Sudan

In 2005 Sr Cathy Solano was seconded to the Diocese of El Obied to work as Education coordinator. During the many years of conflict in Southern Sudan thousands of Sudanese have fled Sudan to neighbouring countries seeking refuge and the chance to start a new life in another country. A fragile peace deal has encouraged some of these refugees to return to Sudan where they encounter a very poor infrastructure. Sr Cathy is assisting to put the education system back in place.

Reports

• Southern Sudan Reports:
  • Cathy Solano's Report - November 2005
   
• Kiunga PNG Reports:
  • Making A Difference On The Fly River - PNG (Cathy Corbett)
  • Maureen Sexton's Report

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