Jesuit Refugee Service Singapore
Accompany . Serve . Advocate
New Chair for JRS Singapore
The Board of Directors of Jesuit Refugee Service (Singapore) Limited has approved the appointment of Mr. Yap Chin Poh Egbert Collin as Board Member and Chairman, with effect from 1 April 2026.
Collin brings over 20 years of senior corporate leadership experience, alongside 6 years in the diplomatic service of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. He is currently CEO for Singapore and Asia-Pacific at Specialist Risk Group, and was previously CEO of Marsh McLennan Singapore.
A law graduate from the University of Sheffield and a long-time parishioner of the Church of St. Ignatius, Collin is guided by Ignatian spirituality and a deep commitment to service. He has also served JRS Singapore as Deputy Chairman from May 2021 to November 2024.
On the same date, Ms. Caroline Seow will step down as Chairman and continue serving as a member of the Board. We extend our sincere gratitude for her dedicated leadership and are thankful for her continued service to JRS.
Please join us in welcoming Collin to his new role and in thanking Caroline for her ongoing contributions to JRS.
The Situation of Myanmar Refugees in Thailand- HuRights Osaka
Across Thailand, refugees and displaced people from Myanmar continue to face a growing humanitarian crisis. Prolonged conflict, economic instability, and the ongoing displacement in Myanmar have driven thousands to seek safety across the border. Yet, amid shrinking international funding and limited policy flexibility, many refugees now find themselves with fewer options for survival and self-reliance.
Commemorating the founding of
Jesuit Refugee Service
The Jesuit Refugee Service was founded by Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, on 14 November 1980. 42 years later, JRS continues its mission to accompany, serve and advocate for our refugee brothers and sisters throughout the world.
On our 42nd Anniversary, Affia, a refugee student from the JRS Digital Education Programme, shares her personal experience. This video clip was produced by a fellow refugee student Mukhzan.
Lead, Educate, Advocate & Partner
E3 – Education for
Economic Empowerment
Certified digital education programme focusing on marketing, design, web & IT skills for refugee students
662 Participants
Future-Ready & Life Skills Workshops
Mentoring in key areas of career growth and coaching to promote personal wellness.
703 Participants
Virtual Internships
Partners provide online training, mentorship and work experience to refugees in the region.
105 Engagements
Figures from Jul 2021 to 28 Feb 2025
Building an Inclusive World
In Asia, the situation for asylum-seekers and refugees remains bleak. Limited access to healthcare, education, and legal employment exacerbate the daily battle for survival and represent a significant obstacle as people attempt to rebuild their lives post-displacement.
In 2021, JRS Singapore initiated LEAP@JRS — a community building initiative focused on nurturing professional skills for the individual and developing resilience and self-sustainability for the community.
LEAP@JRS encompasses:
- certified education programmes such as digital marketing, graphic design and Cisco academy courses;
- professional development sessions such as resume writing, interview and presentation skills;
- wellness programmes to better manage stress and enhance emotional resilience and
- virtual internships facilitated with values-aligned partners to prepare asylum seekers and refugees for future employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
“In the name of all those who persecute you, who have persecuted you, those who have hurt you, above all for the indifference of the world, I ask for forgiveness, forgiveness.”
~ Pope Francis in Bangladesh in 2017