What We Do
What makes someone a refugee? What evidence are we seeing of climate change? How does CWS respond when a disaster hits? Are we making progress in the fight against hunger?
And, most importantly: how can I help?
Explore the sections of our website below to find the answers to these questions, and many more.
Latest Updates
“They Made Me Feel Like I Wasn’t Alone Anymore”: Why Refugee Protection Matters
After fleeing Afghanistan, Layla arrived in the United States alone and uncertain of where to turn. With support from CWS and community partners, she is beginning to rebuild her life and imagine a future rooted in safety, dignity and service. Rebuilding Safety for Afghan Neighbors By age 35, Layla* had built a thriving life in Afghanistan. After years of hard work and dedicated study, she …
Deadly ICE Shooting in Maine Escalates Calls for Accountability and Independent Investigations
Killing of Johan Sebastian occurred less than a week after Houston shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 14, 2026—Church World Service today expressed its condolences and a message of mourning and solidarity following another fatal ICE shooting, this time in Biddeford, Maine. The victim, Johan Sebastian, was a 26-year-old Colombian national with work authorization, and media reports assert …
Fatal Shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston Continues Pattern of Violent ICE Immigration Enforcement Tactics
CWS Calls for Accountability WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2026 — Church World Service issued a statement today expressing its profound condolences to the family, loved ones, and neighbors mourning the loss of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Houston resident and father who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents on July 7 in the city’s East End. CWS joins the growing …
World Refugee Day 2026: Upholding Asylum and Protection
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.
10 Facts You Should Know About Refugees
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 …