After being displaced twice, Veronique rebuilt her life in Tanzania’s Nyarugusu Refugee Camp by becoming a farmer and community leader, improving her family’s food security while empowering others to do the same. Forced to Flee, Determined to Rebuild When people are forced to flee due to conflict, they are not only leaving behind their homes. They are leaving behind their …
“I Finally Felt That My Voice Mattered”: How Oksana is Advancing Women’s Dignity in Ukraine
In the small coastal town of Chornomorsk, Ukraine, news spreads fast. For a person living with HIV, like Oksana, the fear of private life becoming public can feel debilitating. Oksana spent years trapped in self-stigma, afraid of being judged by her neighbors and wanting nothing more than to become invisible. Then, her biggest fear came true: during a visit to the local clinic, her doctor violated medical confidentiality, writing her …
Daily State of Play: Trump’s Indefinite Refugee Ban and Funding Halt
June 25, 2026
The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban, stop work orders and prolonged delays in reimbursement for resettlement agencies have had a devastating impact on tens of thousands of refugee families and communities across the country and around the world. Welcome to the latest edition of State of Play from Church World Service. This resource will provide regular updates from the CWS …
One Year Later: Building Disaster-Resilient Communities in Indonesia
June 24, 2026
In Indonesia, CWS Japan is building disaster-resilient communities along the Benanain River. Through the I-CREATE project, local leadership, technical expertise and climate adaptation strategies are helping communities prepare for and reduce the impact of disasters.
On Juneteenth, a Day of Reflection and a Reminder of Unfinished Business
June 19, 2026
Washington, June 19, 2026—Church World Service today commemorates Juneteenth, the federal holiday honoring the sacrifices and legacy of Black American leaders that coincides with the arrival of Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas signaling the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. CWS is committed to honoring the legacy of all those who strove for equality in our nation, including the sacrifices and resilience of Black American …
World Refugee Day: CWS Urges Renewed Global Commitments to Asylum and Protection as Millions Endure Long-term Displacement
WASHINGTON, June 20, 2026 —Since it was first established by the United Nations in 2001, World Refugee Day has generated lifesaving resources, awareness, and political will to support the needs of refugees stuck in protracted displacement. This year, as the world prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention on July 28, the faith-based international humanitarian organization CWS calls on the international community to uphold its commitment to international refugee law and reaffirm the fundamental rights of refugees worldwide to asylum and protection. Today, one in every 70 people worldwide is forcibly …
World Refugee Day 2026: Upholding Asylum and Protection
June 18, 2026
Today, CWS highlights the imperative to uphold global commitments to asylum and protection, while honoring the courage of the 41.6 million refugees around the world who have been forced to flee violence and persecution in search of safety.
Extreme Heat, Climate Change and Displacement: Who is at Greatest Risk?
June 16, 2026
Each decade over the past 60 years has been hotter than the one before it, and the past 11 years have been the hottest on record. As heat season begins this year, extreme temperatures and drought are jeopardizing food production, health, and livelihoods, especially in low-income communities. Climate-related disasters displace more people every year than conflicts, and refugees and displaced people are the hardest hit, with an estimated three-quarters of the world’s refugees and displaced living in climate hotspots. CWS supports families affected by disaster and displacement with emergency response, recovery assistance and long-term resilience-building.
10 Facts You Should Know About Refugees
June 9, 2026
Global displacement has reached historic levels, with millions of people forced from their homes each year. These ten key facts highlight essential information about refugees, the challenges they face and the valuable contributions they make—along with ways you can support them. More than 117 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety and the chance to rebuild their …
Take Action: This World Refugee Day, Urge Congress to Defend Refuge
June 5, 2026
World Refugee Day – held annually on June 20 – is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the resilience and courage of those fleeing violence and persecution globally. It serves as a call to action for governments and communities to strengthen their efforts to provide safe haven, resources, and opportunities for refugees and other displaced people to rebuild their lives. …