Humanitarian and Development Support for Refugees in Rome with UMCOR
This project is carried out in partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). It will run from May 2025 to April 2026 and is expected to benefit approximately 3,700 refugees and asylum seekers in Rome.
The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center (JNRC) is implementing a holistic project to address both the urgent and long-term needs of displaced individuals in Rome. Many refugees face homelessness, legal uncertainty, and severe material deprivation due to Italy's overburdened asylum system and limited social support.
Through funding from UMCOR, JNRC is providing:
Essential aid: Daily breakfasts, sleeping bags, shoes, hygiene products, and power banks to meet basic survival needs.
Mental health support: Weekly art therapy sessions and access to psychosocial counseling to help individuals cope with trauma and regain stability.
Education and integration: Italian language classes and cultural outings to improve communication skills and support social inclusion.
Employment and legal aid: CV workshops, job search support, and legal consultations to help refugees access work and navigate bureaucratic processes.
The project combines direct relief with empowerment tools to break the cycle of vulnerability and foster a path to dignity, healing, and independence for Rome’s refugee community.
