Stories
The latest stories from UNHCR.
Photo: © UNHCR/Roland Schonbauer
We take special care to bring you the latest refugee news and stories of the men, women and children we help each day.
A new beginning through play: how Welcome to Play brings hope, healing and belonging to kids in Edmonton
In Edmonton, Free Play for Kids’ Welcome to Play program creates a space where the simple act of play becomes something much more profound — a bridge to healing, connection and belonging.
Calgary’s Soccer Without Boundaries: ‘We invest in them, they come back as mentors’
Fifteen years ago, Jean Claude recognized that in his public housing community, integrating vulnerable youth—often newcomers and refugees—into the community was not enough, nor was the simple goal of keeping them out of trouble. What was missing was an opportunity for these youth to feel a sense of belonging and a pathway to contribute.
Fortunately, Jean Claude knew firsthand the power of soccer to bring people together and create belonging.
“Soccer gave me community”: How Héritier Masimengo found integration and belonging through soccer
Héritier was born in 1998 in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, during a time of violent conflict. His earliest years unfolded in uncertainty, as war disrupted daily life and forced families to make impossible choices. When Héritier was six years old, his family fled in search of safety and began a new life in Canada.
Turning hardship into hope: A Refugee in El Salvador transforms her experience of displacement into resilience and hope
Thanks to support from donors such as the Government of Canada, Lucía was able to rebuild her life far from threats and now contributes to the community that welcomed her.
“I am addicted to the truth”: A Venezuelan journalist finds safety and purpose in Canada
Forced to flee Venezuela for his work, journalist Halim Naim found safety through Canada’s Human Rights Defenders program. Now, he is showing that this protection can be the foundation and platform to rebuild a life and continue the fight for the truth.
Families fill classrooms in Lebanon as spiraling displacement strains aid effort
As hundreds of thousands of Lebanese flee continued Israeli strikes and evacuation warnings, collective shelters are rapidly filling up while humanitarian stocks are running low. By Dalal Harb in Beirut, Lebanon The high-pitched sound of children’s voices echoes...
Once denied a chance to learn, meet the Hazara refugee who earned one of Canada’s top education honours
When Muhaddisa Sarwari was awarded the Loran Scholarship—one of Canada’s most competitive and respected undergraduate awards—it marked more than academic achievement. For Muhaddisa, it represented something deeper: recognition of a journey shaped by displacement, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.
As aid declines, legal work offers hope to refugees in Thailand
As aid declines, legal work offers hope to refugees in Thailand. A couple from Myanmar are among the first to benefit from the Thai Government’s move to grant refugees in camps access to legal employment, offering an inclusive solution to long-term displacement. By...
From Syria to the Simbas: How Saleh Al Osman found belonging through soccer—and now helps others do the same
Under the fading evening sun in Terraview Park, you’ll often find Saleh Al Osman pacing the sidelines, cheering on kids with a whistle around his neck and a quiet confidence in his voice. For Saleh, the soccer field isn’t just a place to play—it’s where communities...
Refugees in Belfast find friendship, freedom and confidence through football
After arriving from South Sudan aged 18, Mary found purpose and support at Street Soccer – a Belfast scheme for refugees and youth – and at a centre run by the Irish Football Association. By Sarah Hayward in Belfast, United Kingdom Four years to the day since she...
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