‘We thought we would never sing again’: How Maryam Masoomi escaped the Taliban and rebuilt her life in Saskatoon
When the Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021, Maryam Masoomi was a university student who suddenly found herself helping lead the escape of more than 200 people—herself included. That experience now shapes her work with newcomer youth at the Saskatoon Open Door...
UNHCR Canada welcomes $1 million donation from The Slaight Family Foundation to protect women and girls in South Sudan
OTTAWA/TORONTO — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply grateful to The Slaight Family Foundation for a generous $1 million donation to support women and girls displaced by conflict in South Sudan. This two-year grant will help restore and expand essential services...
‘We made it!’ How soccer helped Farkhunda Muhtaj find her purpose
Farkhunda Muhtaj was officially the first player named to the roster of Calgary Wild FC, part of the new Northern Super League that launched in Canada in 2025. Number 10 plays midfield and she joined the Wild after captaining both her varsity team at York University...
A badge of hope: One former refugee’s mission to change lives and reimagine policing
When Mustafa Popalzai arrived in Canada as a 14-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, he had little more than hope. Today, the Toronto police Detective Constable is a driving force behind a grassroots initiative to change lives for thousands of newcomers, but also help...
High Commissioner Filippo Grandi’s message on World Refugee Day 2025
Today is World Refugee Day – a day to honour the courage and resilience of millions of people around the globe forced to flee war, violence and persecution. But it is also a moment to sound an alarm on their behalf. Record numbers of men, women and children – over 122...
Iconic Canadian landmarks to light up blue for World Refugee Day
OTTAWA – On June 19 and 20, iconic landmarks across Canada, including Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, and BC Place, will light up blue to mark World Refugee Day. Blue is the official colour of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Observed globally each year on June 20, World...