Living in limbo

Imagine if your life – your whole future – was at stake because you didn’t fit the criteria of being a ‘refugee’.

Sophie (30) is trapped in limbo in Indonesia with her family including her older brother Brando, her uncle Johnny and mother Nini.

The family has had a long and harrowing journey. Their story began in Myanmar when, after joining a peaceful civil uprising, the military came looking for Sophie and Brando. Having witnessed the military’s murderous violence, the family was scared for their lives and fled to India.

After a difficult two years, they returned to Myanmar to find the military had seized the family’s cherished home and were still searching for Sophie and Brando.

The family fled once more, travelling through the Philippines until arriving in Indonesia with the hope of starting a better life.

But the family did not find the peace and safety they were searching for.

From day one in Indonesia, the family lived on the streets in a makeshift ‘camp’ struggling to survive day to day.

It’s a grave injustice that people like Sophie are not granted refugee status.

A gap in the definition

UN law only recognises refugees as those who are ‘persecuted because of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.’

It does not recognise people like Sophie – and 13,000 others in Indonesia – who have involuntarily fled their home countries to escape armed conflicts, poor economic policies or natural disasters.

Denied refugee status, these highly vulnerable people are left living in a nightmarish limbo – forced into poverty and homelessness, tormented by an uncertain future and unable to build self-reliance.

De facto refugees in Indonesia are denied:

• Basic human rights – Permission to work – A clear pathway to resettlement
• Access to education
• Opportunity for permanent residency or citizenship

To address their humanity, dignity and fundamental human rights, organisations including Jesuit Mission Australia and our partner in Indonesia, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), recognise these most vulnerable people as 'de facto' refugees.

Pope Francis, a consistent advocate on behalf of migrants and displaced people, recently met with de facto refugees hosted by our partner JRS Indonesia.

“They are close to my heart,” he said.

His compassion highlights the urgent need to support these vulnerable individuals.

Jesuit Refugee Service

JRS Indonesia has been able to bring relief to Sophie and her family. First, providing a steady supply of food, then financial assistance that helped them to move into more stable housing. JRS Indonesia also supported Johnny and Brando to attend English classes.

Recently the family received news that they may have the opportunity to resettle in Canada.

Our team is working tirelessly to support them, and all de facto refugees, as they seek a permanent home. We're taking concrete actions every day to improve their lives and give a voice to their rights.

Find out more

• Read more about JRS's work in Indonesia
• All our programs