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| Remembering Senator Edward Kennedy: A Champion for Refugees |
| Surviving the City: Support for Urban Refugees |
| In person with Abraham ABRAHAM |
| Pakistan Emergency Thank-You |
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Tom Cavanaugh in Uganda 
A Canadian in Sri Lanka: Denise Otis, a legal officer in
UNHCR’s Montreal office, volunteered for the Emergency
Response Team. She worked with internally displaced
Tamils in a camp in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka. © UNHCR/V.Akello
Canadian Denise Otis is one of the 300 UNHCR-trained ERTeam professionals who volunteer to go wherever they are needed on 72 hours notice. She works with refugees here in Canada as a legal officer for UNHCR. This spring, she participated in an ERT training program in Sweden. In May and June, she was deployed in Sri Lanka, south of the Indian sub-continent.
Interview with Denise Otis, Legal Officer, UNHCR Canada
Can you give us a sense of what it was like in the camps in Sri Lanka?
DO: Well, if you can imagine endless rows of tents, some set aside to serve as hospitals. We were very busy identifying people so that we could reunite families and offer rapid support to the most vulnerable, like the many widows, and those with handicaps. Trucks arrived constantly from the capital city, Colombo, with tents, and sleeping mats. The camps were very crowded and the people helped distribute non-food items like water containers and mosquito nets.
What was the role of UNHCR in Sri Lanka?
DO: One important task for UNHCR was what we call ‘presence protection’, to observe what is happening. We were visible with our T-shirts and caps to monitor what went on. The first protection that you try to give people is protection in the camps as well as shelter and food. Thanks to the generosity of donors, including those in Canada who answered our Emergency Appeal, UNHCR had enough tents at the beginning, but we couldn’t keep up with the huge numbers.
What was your most vivid memory?
DO: I was so worried about the children who were sick and dehydrated, and some of them died. I myself witnessed the case of an 11-year-old boy, the same age as my own son. He was dehydrated and they were going to lose him, but finally, fortunately they succeeded in resuscitating him. It was something very deeply moving.
How did the people react to what was happening?
DO: The internal displaced people (IDP) were so courageous. They were survivors of war who had been under fire, and some had injuries. Others had been living in bunkers. They were all extremely tired. They did not like being confined behind barbed wire. I also realized that protection is above all, a relationship with the people. I have so much respect for their resilience.
Become an ERTeam member
In crisis situations, our Emergency Response Team moves into action immediately, working around the clock to save vulnerable lives. Please join us and help our dedicated team carry on their essential work.
Go to www.unhcr.ca/ert
As peace returns to Pakistan's beautiful mountain valleys, most of those who fled the fighting want to return to rebuild their houses and lives. Canadian donors were among the first to open their hearts in answer to our emergency appeal this spring. Thanks to your generosity, UNHCR raised nearly $125,000 in Canada alone. At last report, UNHCR has distributed relief and shelter packages to more than 193,000 displaced families in Pakistan, reaching an estimated 1.3 million people. This huge relief operation is now close to being fully funded. Thank you so much for responding to our appeal for support. Photo: Mohammad Ibrar and his family huddle for warmth around their UNHCR kerosene stove, New Bhogarmang camp in the Siran valley. © UNHCR/A.Rummery
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