The Mixed Migration Flows Project helps asylum seekers, refugees, stateless people and vulnerable migrants to live in dignity and find durable solutions.
Cambodia hosts a small number of asylum seekers and refugees. Among these are Rohingya, Montagnard and other people who have fled from religious and political persecution in Myanmar, Syria, Vietnam, Pakistan and other places.
With more than a third of its 16 million population below the poverty line, Cambodians are increasingly leaving to find work in neighbouring countries. There are more than 1.2 million Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand alone. One result of this is that children are left behind in the care of elderly grandparents or others.
Within Cambodia is also a sizeable number of ethnic Vietnamese who have lived in Cambodia for generations without documents. Considered stateless, they cannot work, enrol in school or own land.
With the support of Jesuit Mission, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Cambodia accompanies, serves and advocates for the right of displaced people and the families they left behind to live in dignity and safety. Its Mixed Migration Flows project does as Pope Francis urges – welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants and refugees.
JRS Cambodia operates a welcome centre for refugees and asylum seekers, offering hospitality and access to basic services such as shelter, food, education, and healthcare. It also assists with finding durable solutions for resettlement, repatriation, integration and family reunification. It supports vulnerable left behind children by assisting with access to education and basic services. It helps stateless people to obtain proper documentation, and has a special fund for stateless families to help with access to healthcare, housing and emergency services.
“I have a very strong belief that the consequence of mercy, charity, and love is justice. The very vulnerable need assistance, and as the only refugee agency in Cambodia, JRS is dedicated to accompanying, serving and advocating for the most vulnerable displaced people – asylum seekers, refugees, migrant workers and their left behind children, stateless people.”
Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service Cambodia
In addition, it raises awareness of forced displacement and mixed migration flows through workshops, advocacy and research. These efforts potentially benefit approximately 1 million migrant workers and thousands of stateless people.
The Tran’s Story
The Tran family endured severe hardship as farmers in Vietnam, eventually fleeing to Cambodia in 1991 with their two children. Despite some improvements, life remains tough. The grandchildren now live with their grandparents on a boat, facing daily struggles.
Their faith and support from Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Cambodia sustain them. In 2010, their refugee status was approved, and JRS began providing essential supplies like rice and oil.
“When our house boat needed a new container, JRS built us a new one. We’re so grateful.”
Education offers hope. After leaving their local school due to poor quality, the grandchildren now attend extra Khmer classes, aiming to lift their family out of poverty.
“We breed fish, selling our catch and homemade fish sauce at the local market to earn a modest income.”
Support like this really makes a difference in our lives, especially for my grandchildren.”
Tran famiily
