Quick Facts

• Serving about 100 adults in the last year
• Programs are operated remotely for refugees living in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia
• Accompanying refugees from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, and Ghana
• Focused on education, training, and livelihood opportunities through LEAP

Overview: JRS Singapore

JRS Singapore was formed in the early 1980s in response to the Vietnamese refugee and East Timor crises. Today, it reports to the JRS Asia Pacific Regional Director in Bangkok and continues its mission through volunteers, partnerships, and regional programs that support forcibly displaced people beyond Singapore itself.

Because Singapore’s work is largely regional and remote, JRS Singapore focuses on expanding access to education and economic inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers living elsewhere in Asia Pacific, especially in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

How JRS Responds Through Singapore

JRS Singapore works alongside JRS Asia Pacific to accompany refugees through education and livelihood-oriented programming designed to strengthen resilience, professional skills, and long-term opportunity.

Core Areas of Support

• Online education and training
• Certified professional and digital skills development
• Livelihood preparation and economic inclusion
• Community empowerment and resilience-building
• Volunteer engagement and outreach

Key Program: LEAP

JRS Singapore and JRS Asia Pacific developed LEAP, which stands for Lead, Educate, Advocate, Partner. The program is designed to nurture certified and professional skills, build resilience, and empower refugees toward self-sustainability. LEAP prepares refugee students for the digital world and supports them in giving back to their own communities.

Related Skills Training

JRS Singapore also highlights education for economic empowerment through courses such as digital marketing, web development, UI/UX, and Cisco networking, helping participants gain industry-level skills and certifications that can support future livelihood opportunities.

Why This Work Matters

Across Asia Pacific, refugees and asylum seekers often face limited access to education, legal employment, and stable opportunities to rebuild their lives. JRS Singapore responds to that gap by investing in future-ready skills, practical learning, and partnerships that help refugees strengthen both individual capacity and community resilience.

Education and Economic Inclusion

Singapore’s country update emphasizes access to education and economic inclusion as central priorities. Through remote learning and certified training opportunities, JRS Singapore helps refugees develop professional skills and prepare for a changing digital economy.

This approach is meant not only to support individual learners, but also to help refugee communities build longer-term self-sustainability through shared knowledge, leadership, and partnership.

Volunteer and Regional Engagement

According to the current JRS/USA country page, JRS Singapore is supported by about 50 active volunteers from different churches and backgrounds. These volunteers gather regularly for formation, project discussions, fundraising activities, and social mission engagement connected to JRS Singapore’s work.

Learn More and Take Action

JRS Singapore’s work shows how education, accompaniment, and regional partnership can expand opportunity for refugees and asylum seekers across Asia Pacific.

Donate to Support Refugees
Read the Full Country Report
Visit JRS Singapore
View the Current JRS/USA Singapore Page

Frequently Asked Questions

How does JRS Singapore help refugees?

JRS Singapore helps refugees through remote education, skills training, livelihood preparation, and community empowerment programs developed in collaboration with JRS Asia Pacific.

What is LEAP at JRS Singapore?

LEAP stands for Lead, Educate, Advocate, Partner. It is a program that helps refugees build certified skills, resilience, and self-sustainability, with a strong emphasis on education and preparation for the digital world.

Who does JRS Singapore serve?

JRS Singapore accompanies refugees and asylum seekers from countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, and Ghana.

Where does JRS Singapore operate?

JRS Singapore operates its programs remotely, supporting refugees living in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.