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.
Freed Iraqi Yazidi boy settles into new life in Canada
After three years in captivity, 13-year-old Emad is reunited with his mother and siblings in Winnipeg. Winnipeg, Canada: Annie Sakkab, August 2017. Thirteen-year-old Emad Tammo sits in his new home surrounded by his mother and siblings, his smiling face unrecognizable...
Freed Yazidi boy joins his mother in Canada
After being held captive by armed groups in Iraq for three years, 13-year-old Emad reunites with his mother in Winnipeg with UNHCR help. Iraq: Cathy Otten, August 2017 Emad was kidnapped three years ago when armed groups attacked the town of Sinjar, 100 kilometres...
Remembering Alan Kurdi: we must do more to protect refugees
Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative in Canada, writes on the second anniversary of the death of Alan Kurdi with a question; as the world moves on and the headlines fade, have we done enough to protect refugees who are most vulnerable? On 2 September 2015, we all...
‘Sea Prayer’ – by Khaled Hosseini, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
‘SEA PRAYER’ WRITTEN BY KHALED HOSSEINI, UNHCR GOODWILL AMBASSADOR My dear Marwan In the long summers of childhood, when I was a boy the age you are now, your uncles and I spread our mattress on the roof of your grandfather’s farmhouse, outside of Homs. We woke in...
Child refugee grows up to become family doctor
When Sameena and her Ugandan Asian family needed a place of safety, Canada stepped up. Now a doctor, she cares for families in her adoptive home. In 1972, under orders from then President Idi Amin, all Ugandans of Asian descent were required to leave the country...
Tearful reunion for Yazidi boy and family in Winnipeg
The UNHCR Representative in Canada, Jean-Nicolas Beuze has praised Canada's work on refugee resettlement today as a Yazidi boy has been reunited with his family in Winnipeg after three years' separation. Emad Mishko Tamo was just 9 years old when he was captured by...
UNHCR on CTV News: Haiti Refugees Seek Asylum in Quebec
Jean-Nicolas Beuze Discusses Haiti Refugees Situation UNHCR Canadian Representative Jean-Nicolas Beuze was interviewed by CTV News on Friday, to address the situation at the Lacolle border in Quebec where hundreds of asylum seekers of Haitian origin have been crossing...
Sky is the limit for refugee who fled Somalia
Arriving in Canada from Somalia as a refugee was overwhelming for Osman, but now he has found his feet and is determined to help others.
“Lucky to be Canadian” – a refugee’s son shares his story
Gerhard J. Ens tells the story of his Mennonite refugee father who moved to Canada in 1923. Gerhard is telling this story as part of #Canada150 celebrations, and to celebrate the contributions that refugees have made to Canada since confederation. “My father Gerhard...
Saul Rubinek’s refugee journey to Canada
Acclaimed Canadian actor, director and producer Saul Rubinek recounts his refugee story as part of #Canada150 celebrations, and to celebrate the contributions that refugees have made to Canada since confederation. My parents Israel and Frania Rubinek, and I came to...
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