CWS Challenges Suspension of Refugee Resettlement Program and Freeze of Refugee Funding Lawsuit Was Filed in Federal District Court in Seattle on Behalf of Impacted Refugees and Faith Based Refugee-Serving Agencies (Seattle, WA) – Today, three national and local faith-based refugee-serving agencies and nine individuals filed Pacito v. Trump, the first lawsuit challenging President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) suspending the …
TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress and the State Department to Resume Life-Saving Funds for Refugees and End Stop Work Orders
The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban, stop work orders, and failure to reimburse resettlement agencies in a timely manner have had a devastating impact on tens of thousands of refugee families in communities across the country and around the world. The abrupt halt of life-saving funds on January 24 were initiated by “Stop Work Orders” pursuant to the Reevaluating and …
“This Is a Betrayal”: An Afghan Resettlement Worker Speaks Out
February 6, 2025
Taq, a resettlement caseworker in Ohio, has witnessed the devastating impact of recent Executive Orders that have halted refugee arrivals, leaving families like his own in limbo. With loved ones stranded in unsafe conditions and immigrant communities facing growing fear in the United States, Taq shares his hope for policies that honor America’s commitment to those who risked everything to …
Stories of Change
Top: Subdistrict launch event with government and partners in Malaka Middle: Benanine River overflow Bottom: Overflow point along the riverbank
New CWS Program Builds Flood Resilience Through Community Engagement
CWS Japan, alongside local partners, has launched the I-CREATE program in Indonesia’s Malaka District to help communities along the Benanain River strengthen their resilience against recurring floods. By improving early warning systems, enhancing flood mitigation infrastructure and fostering inclusive, community-led solutions, the program aims to ensure long-term sustainability and disaster preparedness.
For communities along the Benanain River in Indonesia, annual flooding is a persistent challenge, threatening access to clean water and disrupting agricultural livelihoods. To help local residents adapt and build long-term resilience, CWS Japan, in collaboration with YCWS and Perkumpulan Masyarakat Penanganan Bencana (PMPB-NTT), has launched the Improving Community Resilience through Enhanced Adaptation and Technical Assistance (I-CREATE) program in Malaka District, East Nusa Tenggara.
A Multi-Level Approach to Community Resilience
At recent community launch events, discussions with local leaders and residents revealed several pressing challenges, including recurring flooding that contaminates water sources, gaps in early warning systems for community members and localized vulnerabilities with high-risk areas along the river.
Many communities depend on the Benanain River for daily needs, but frequent floods contaminate water sources and threaten food security. However, the region’s fertile soil presents an opportunity—when properly managed, it supports thriving agriculture. Despite this, the lack of river water level monitoring means residents often respond only when floodwaters are already rising. Enhancing early warning mechanisms is critical, and certain high-risk areas along the riverbank require targeted interventions to prevent overflow, necessitating both technical solutions and community-driven initiatives.
Community-Led Adaptation and Inclusive Solutions
Despite these challenges, local communities have shown resilience by adjusting their planting seasons to align with changing weather patterns, and the region’s river basin forum, though currently inactive, presents an opportunity to foster collaboration between upstream and downstream villages.
A key priority of I-CREATE is inclusivity—ensuring that disaster preparedness and response strategies consider the needs of all community members, including people with disabilities. By involving diverse voices in planning and training, the program seeks to create sustainable, community-driven solutions that support all community members.
Over the next several years, the program will continue to assess potential risks from dam management, support community participation in improving flood mitigation infrastructure, engage early warning systems and information dissemination, digitally map hazards, risks and evacuation routes and provide technical recommendations for river basin management.
By integrating technical expertise, community knowledge and government collaboration, I-CREATE aims to build long-lasting resilience against flooding, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for Malaka District.
To learn more about CWS’ work in Asia, click here.
Mustafa and Randa’s Path to Love and a New Life
February 5, 2025
The story of Mustafa Albayati and his wife Randa is one of resilience, love and the transformative power of community. From their chance meeting in Iraq to building a life together in the United States, their journey has been marked by challenges, triumphs and unwavering hope. Here’s their inspiring story, told in Mustafa and Randa’s words. “I first met …
The Work of Welcome: A Call to Belonging and Justice
Stacey Clack |
I have started this blog over and over again, trying to put words to the ache in my chest, trying to weave together hope and righteous anger into something coherent, something that won’t unravel the moment I hit “post.” In the last two days, many of my compassionate, justice-seeking colleagues have received furlough notices. To say the last two days …
Executive Actions Target Refugees, Cut Off Access to Life-Saving Programs
February 4, 2025
CWS Furloughs Staff to Maintain Capacity to Serve Vulnerable Clients Washington, D.C.— CWS today expressed deep concern and alarm over the administration’s recent actions severely limiting the ability of the organization to continue to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to refugees and other vulnerable families. Since January 20th, the Trump Administration has taken action after action–including severely limiting access to federal …
Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants: What’s The Difference?
More than 120 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes in search of safe, new lives. Every day, thousands are forced to make this difficult decision, leaving behind their belongings, memories and, oftentimes, loved ones, all for the hope of a better future. There are many reasons people choose to make this decision. Millions are …
“Travel Cancelled”: A Poem Reflection of Recent Executive Orders
As of January 22, 2025, the Trump administration has suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) until further notice, leaving thousands of refugees—including minors separated from their parents—without a pathway to safety. Originally from Syria, Alissa* has a deep connection to the resettlement experience. “CWS was the only organization that supported me on day one of arrival,” she said. “I …
Hope Amid Destruction: How the Wildfire Resource Hub Supports Displaced Families
CWS continues to play a crucial role in California’s wildfire recovery by helping establish the Wildfire Resource Hub, which provides a wide array of services, from emergency aid to long-term recovery support. With a focus on both immediate relief and emotional care, the Hub serves as a vital resource for those affected by the fires. A Vital Support Hub for …