Internally Displaced Persons

The Latest

Polish Knights of Columbus unload a truck full of supplies for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Ukrainian, Polish Knights of Columbus marshal resources to help care for refugees

Mar 8, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Polish and Ukrainian Knights of Columbus have been working together to provide aid to the millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine... Read more

 The World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be observed Sept. 27, 2020.

Pope Francis says plight of displaced people is an ‘unseen tragedy’ amid pandemic

May 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The coronavirus crisis is an opportunity to reflect more on how we can help the most vulnerable around us, including... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis appeals for displaced women and children in Syria

Feb 9, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis appealed Sunday for the protection of women and children fleeing violence in northwestern Syria as more than half... Read more

Refugees in a camp on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

CRS steps up as millions in Ethiopia displaced by flooding, ethnic violence

Feb 4, 2019

With millions of Ethiopians forced out of their homes, Catholic Relief Services is working with the local Catholic Church to... Read more

The camp for internally displaced persons at St Peter Claver Cathedral in Bangassou, CAR, Oct. 21, 2017.

Catholic institutions in CAR shelter displaced Muslims from threat of attack

Aug 16, 2018

In the Central African Republic's Diocese of Bangassou, several Catholic institutions have taken in displaced Muslims who face violence at... Read more

South Sudanese refugees arrive at a refugee camp in Uganda.

Catholics respond to global forced migration crisis

May 30, 2018

By Courtney Mares

An unprecedented 66 million people worldwide have been forced from their homes by conflict and violence, according to a report... Read more

Refugees in Nigeria's Maiduguri diocese, September 2014.

Nigerian bishops deplore dehumanizing trends of violence

Jan 18, 2018

Nigeria's bishops challenged government authorities Tuesday to resolve the country’s violent disputes, especially after recent attacks by Fulani herdsmen have... Read more

Protection of Civilians site in Wau, South Sudan.

Thousands of South Sudanese find refuge in cathedral

Aug 20, 2017

As the civil war in South Sudan heightens, millions are fleeing their homes for safer ground, which many have found... Read more

Cardinal Dolan to Iraqi seminarians: You will convert the world

Apr 9, 2016

By Elise Harris

After spending his first full day in Erbil, Iraq, Cardinal Timothy Dolan gave a special message to men studying in... Read more

Pope Francis embraces a pilgrim during the General Audience at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, Jan. 13, 2016.

Pope Francis sends vestments, financial aid to Iraqi Christians

Mar 31, 2016

By Elise Harris

As a sign of affection and closeness, Pope Francis has decided to send vestments used in the liturgy and a... Read more

Children at the Saint Sauveur refugee camp in Bangui, Central African Republic, welcome Pope Francis, Nov. 29, 2015.

Pope to displaced persons: peace is impossible without tolerance, forgiveness

Nov 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis’ first stop after arriving in the Central African Republic Sunday was to a refugee camp housing thousands of... Read more

Nigerian Christians displaced from their homes by Boko Haram attacks. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Maiduguri.

The cost of violence: 15 million Africans displaced, with little hope for the future

Jul 13, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Plagued by wars, terrorism, and repressive governments, sub-Saharan Africa is in the throes of a humanitarian crisis that the international... Read more

Iraqi nun's visa denial raises questions for US State Department

May 8, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Sister Diana Momeka, a Catholic nun from Iraq, intended to visit the U.S. to talk about the persecution of religious... Read more

A young Syrian child raises her arms in a gesture of surrender.

The 'surrender' of a Syrian girl gives face to the plight of refugee children

Apr 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

A photo that went viral last week depicting a young Syrian child “surrendering” in front of a camera she thought... Read more

Christian refugees in Mar Elia parish centre in the Christian neighbourhood of Ankawa in Erbil, Iraq.

Among Christian refugees in Kurdistan, 'no one is angry at God'

Jan 11, 2015

By Oliver Maksan

“Thank you, thank you, thank you:” Suheila, an elderly Christian woman from Mosul was effusive in expressing her gratitude to... Read more

Refugees from South Sudan.

Christian aid group zeros-in on helping South Sudan victims

Feb 10, 2014

Christian aid organization Sudan Relief Fund is helping thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons with supply water and other... Read more

Syrian refugees.

Bishops ask Congress to support, resettle Syrian refugees

Jan 17, 2014

The U.S. bishops have encouraged Congress to work to end the violence in Syria, and to help address the major... Read more