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 …
Immigrant children come to the United States fleeing danger, not in search of it
Christopher Plummer | April 8, 2026
Trigger warning: This blog mentions instances of sexual abuse. CWS Marks April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Immigrant children come to the United States fleeing danger, not in search of it. They have done it alone, walking thousands of miles, and they have done it cradled in a parent’s arms. For many of those fortunate to make it to …
Partnering for Welcome: How Landlords and Communities Are Helping Newcomer Families Build Home
April 1, 2026
Refugee Housing Solutions partners with landlords and communities to expand safe, affordable housing for refugees and newcomers, strengthening stability and belonging for families rebuilding their lives in the United States. Finding a safe place to call home is one of the very first steps for any family restarting their lives in a new country. For refugees and other newcomers arriving …
Global Water Scarcity: How Communities Are Overcoming Water Challenges
March 22, 2026
Everyone deserves access to clean water, yet for millions around the world, safe drinking water and proper sanitation remain out of reach. From collapsed infrastructure and poor management to conflict and climate change, several factors contribute to families being unable to access their right to safe water. Rising global temperatures and extreme weather events are making clean water scarcer and …
A Year of Impact: How Compassion Became a Lifeline for Families in Crisis
February 11, 2026
When disasters struck communities across the United States this past year—from wildfires to flooding—CWS was there to help families navigate every phase of recovery. Thanks to supporters like you, people like Sarah found safety, stability and hope when they needed it most. From wildfires and historic floodings to winter storms and hurricanes, communities across the United States were left reeling …
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Rev. Robert Lawrence “Lonnie” Turnipseed
February 2, 2026
Church World Service joins colleagues and partners around the world in remembering Rev. Robert Lawrence “Lonnie” Turnipseed, who served CWS with profound dedication and visionary leadership. A memorial service will be held on February 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Derstine Chapel, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale, PA. More details about the service can be found here. A Leader Rooted in Global Mission Lonnie’s connection to …
Rapid Support for Displaced Families Along the Cambodia–Thailand Border
January 26, 2026
In response to late‑December 2025 fighting along the Cambodia–Thailand border, HEKS/EPER Cambodia and CWS rapidly delivered emergency shelter and protection supplies to 1,550 newly displaced households sheltering in overcrowded pagodas and schools, helping reduce exposure and public‑health risks while restoring safety and dignity. In late December 2025, fighting along the Cambodia–Thailand border again forced thousands of families from their homes in search of safety in nearby pagodas, schools and temporary shelters. …
“It All Begins With Water”: How Sustainable Access Sparks Community Transformation in West Pokot
Lenny Blue | January 23, 2026
In the communities of West Pokot, Kenya, lasting transformation starts with one essential resource: water. Through long-term partnership and community-led development, CWS supports families as they move from water access to sanitation to thriving livelihoods. From Water Access to Community Health When we think about transformation in a community, it’s easy to notice the visible things first—gardens full of greens, chickens clucking …
A Future Without Fear: Oksana and Masha’s Journey from Odesa to Moldova
December 22, 2025
Written by program participant Oksana, this blog shares how she and her daughter Masha fled war in Ukraine and found safety, healing and hope through support from CWS’s local partner, Healthy City. Fleeing Odesa with My Daughter My name is Oksana. I am a single mother, and I am raising my daughter Masha, who is now 6 years old. We are from Odesa. Before the war, …
Rebuilding Smiles: Maxim’s Journey to Restart His Career in Moldova
The following blog was written by Maxim, a program participant of CWS’s local partner, Healthy City (also known as Zdorovii Gorod), which supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion and psychosocial support. Starting Over After Displacement My name is Maxim, I am from the city of Mykolaiv. Before the war in Ukraine, I worked as a dental technician. …