In the Philippines, JRS is working on the island of Mindanao. The population of Mindanao can be divided in 3 main groups: the Lumads, which holds 18 ethnically distinct groups of indigenous tribes (8.7%); the Moros, who are Muslim indigenous groups (20%); and the Christian migrant settlers (71%).

Since the 1970s, Mindanao has been in the grip of conflicts. In 2017, terrorism, particularly the Marawi siege, followed by the declaration of martial law, heavily exacerbated the problem of security and displacement which has been ongoing for decades in Mindanao. In the second half of 2017, ISIS-inspired forces carried out a series of attacks against the government force.

The armed confrontation in Marawi has forcibly displaced 98% of the population of the city, as well as residents from nearby municipalities.

In cooperation with local partner organizations, JRS Philippines offers support to those who have been forcibly displaced within the country due to armed conflict and natural disasters.

JRS Philippines focuses on women’s groups and advancing sustainable livelihoods for internally displaced people (IDP) and returnee communities. These efforts are mean to strengthen IDP involvement and participation in ongoing peace dialogues.