Refugee Social Services (RSS) is a Durban based registered NPO (not for profit organization).

The organization provides social services primarily for refugees and asylum seekers in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. Services are mainly located in Durban and Pietermaritzburg as these two cities are the largest in Kwa-Zulu Natal and host the majority of refugee communities. Durban has the larger refugee and asylum seeker population.

Our Vision

To be a global leader in providing a holistic quality, innovative service to attain integration and independence.

Our Mission

To provide relevant programmes that promote psychological well-being and social economic independence
To work in partnership with refugees and other stakeholders through lobbying and advocacy
To engage in and utilise research to inform programmes and policy
To develop and empowered multidisciplinary approach

Services provided

Emergency social assistance which includes security food, accommodation and medical care for new arrivals and those who find themselves in difficulty
Professional counselling (individual and group) for those who have experienced trauma, and /or referrals to local service providers for specialised services
Facilitating access to education into both primary and secondary schools, and Educational Support through French and English classes for refugee learners
Child Protection Services: Life Skills Training to promote self-reliance, integration and independence
Facilitating Voluntary repatriation and other durable solutions

Who do we assist?

WE assist asylum seekers and refugees with a legitimate refugee claim and preferably with documentation from the South African Department of Home Affairs. We focus on the most vulnerable within the community these being the: children, especially unaccompanied and separated minors and orphans

Youth
Aged persons
Disabled persons
Chronically ill persons
Single parent households
Newcomers to the country

Who is a refugee?

A refugee is a person who has been forced to flee his/her country under the threat of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group; due to conflict and war, and cannot return to his/her country.

Who is an asylum seeker?

An asylum seeker is someone who has made an application to be recognised as a refugee but whose application for refuge is still being processed.