Church World Service

When war forced Diana and her family to flee their home in Ukraine, they arrived in Moldova with little but hope for a safe future. Thanks to the CWS winterization project and the resilience of a mother’s love, they’re building a new life—one step and season at a time.  A Family Uprooted by War  When war broke out in Ukraine, ... Read More

On May 22, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a multibillion dollar reconciliation package that dramatically expands funding for immigration detention and deportation and slashes funding for key benefits and services that strengthen families, communities, and local economies. If signed into law, the bill would restrict access to health care benefits and food assistance for many otherwise-eligible humanitarian arrivals. ... Read More

Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today marks the beginning of Pride by celebrating our LGBTQ+ neighbors and calling for equal protections under the law for all. The organization stresses that as the Trump administration eliminates protections for asylum-seekers and refugees, the global LGBTQ+ community will be particularly impacted. Many people who are displaced are persecuted, ostracized, or under threat simply for ... Read More

In Paraguay’s Lower Chaco, Indigenous communities are advancing justice and leadership through rights training and women-led gatherings—fostering a future rooted in dignity, advocacy and collective strength. Weaving Networks, Sharing Knowledge: A Gathering of Indigenous Women In Pozo Colorado, Paraguay, a powerful gathering of Indigenous women from the Enxet Sur people offered a chance to learn through shared stories, identity and ... Read More

 Last updated: Friday, May 30, 2025  This resource provides daily updates from the CWS policy team in your inbox on the latest policy changes; the morning’s headlines on key issues impacting refugees and immigrants; and updated tools to take action. Subscribe now to receive daily updates on the latest developments and ways to support impacted communities. Programming Note: Barring major breaking ... Read More

After severe floods devastated Kenya’s Tana Delta in 2024, CWS launched a recovery effort through the Mwanga Project, helping nearly 1,800 people rebuild their livelihoods with tools like livestock, training and agriculture support. Through that support, the Kipini Disability Fellowship emerged as a model of resilience—turning poultry and goat distributions into a sustainable, community-driven path to recovery and empowerment. In ... Read More

After fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Aimerance Bosco found hope and stability through the Wezesha Project, transforming from a struggling mother into a thriving farmer who now nourishes her family and empowers others in her community. From Displacement to Determination: Aimerance’s Path to Empowerment Aimerance Bosco spends her days caring for her four children, tending to her ... Read More

Congress is currently in the midst of debating a budget reconciliation bill that seeks to divert massive funds to immigrant detention, deportation, and border militarization and strip access to programs that connect immigrant and U.S.-born families, children, and communities to basic resources. As of May 19, House Republicans are negotiating and “marking up” the package, which they hope to move ... Read More

Maria Bahati, a young refugee in Tanzania’s Nyarugusu Camp, transformed her family’s future through CWS’s WEZESHA Project—overcoming gender barriers, gaining farming skills, and inspiring her husband and community to embrace gender equality. Her journey highlights how empowerment and collaboration can lead to lasting change. Breaking Barriers: Maria’s First Steps Toward Empowerment Forced to flee her home at a young age, ... Read More

Daria, a courageous 14-year-old from Ukraine, was forced to leave her home and family behind as war threatened her safety and peace of mind. In Moldova, she found not only refuge but a renewed sense of purpose at the CWS partner-led Anastasis Educational Center—a place where she could learn, grow and dream again without fear.  A Childhood Interrupted by War  ... Read More

Across the United States, communities are stepping up to combat period poverty by assembling CWS Period Packs and providing essential hygiene items to those in need. From disaster relief to youth activism, these efforts are restoring dignity and meeting a critical yet often overlooked need. Everyone has the right to access safe, sanitary hygiene products, but for many people around ... Read More

As First Group of Afrikaners Prepares to Travel to the United States, CWS Urges Administration to Comply with Court Order to Resettle All Eligible Refugees    New York City– CWS today expressed deep concern over news that the Trump Administration will soon admit Afrikaners and other racial minorities from South Africa to the United States as refugees, while simultaneously delaying ... Read More

  Like us, you know that refugees are ordinary people who have been forced to leave their homes behind in search of safety. But with misinformation on the rise, how can you share the facts with your family, friends and loved ones? Here is a conversation guide to answer any questions your community may have about refugees and other newcomers. ... Read More

World Refugee Day—held annually on June 20th—is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the resilience and courage of those fleeing violence and persecution globally. It serves as a call to action for governments and communities to strengthen their efforts in providing safe haven, resources, and opportunities for refugees and other displaced people to rebuild their lives. Despite multiple court orders, ... Read More

This World Refugee Day, we honor the courage, resilience and humanity of people forced to flee their homes by uplifting the stories that reflect their lived experiences. From memoirs to films, these powerful works offer intimate, eye-opening perspectives on displacement, identity and the search for safety. Books Highlighting the Refugee Experience: Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds by Mondiant Dogon ... Read More

At the Diamond Day Center in Telenesti, Ukrainian refugees and local Moldovan families are coming together to create a welcoming, supportive community through small acts of kindness—from building a children’s mini-library to delivering homemade treats to elders.  At the Diamond Day Center in Telenesti, Moldova, community isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life. From its beginning, the Center, which ... Read More

After fleeing danger in their home country and enduring a painful separation, Roseline and her son Emmanuel reunited in the U.S. with support from CWS. As Emmanuel faced challenges adapting to his new community, Roseline was there to offer support and advocate for social, emotional and academic interventions with his school—helping him rediscover joy and belonging. From Separation to Safety  ... Read More

After war stole her sense of safety and silenced her joy, Violetta found healing and hope through group sessions offered by the “Support for Women and Children During the War in Ukraine” project. With support from CWS and Positive Women Odesa, she’s rediscovered her voice, her confidence and her passion for dance.  A Bright Future Interrupted  With natural curiosity and ... Read More

*Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of war, loss, trauma and death that may be distressing for some readers.  The Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, known as Memoria, is a CWS local partner in Moldova which serves Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan gender-based violence survivors to access life-saving medical and psychosocial support. The following is written by a program participant whose ... Read More

U.S. Government Ordered to Comply with Court Orders in Refugee Ban Lawsuit or Face Sanctions  Government Must Process Around 12,000 Refugees Stranded by Trump Administration   (Seattle, WA) – CWS, HIAS, LCSNW, and IRAP welcomed the compliance order issued yesterday in Pacito v. Trump, reaffirming that the government must process and provide resettlement support to refugees who were conditionally approved ... Read More