Canadian author Kyo Maclear highlights the refugee experience in Story Boat
Children’s book engages young readers to reflect on the journey of refugees and the items they hold on to as a source of hope and inspiration. By Lidia Abraha After spending years visiting students all over Canada, Kyo Maclear knew children could be strong allies in...
Refugees and hosts work together to build a safe home in Niger
As violence and displacement escalate, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visits a new housing project meant to foster relations between communities. By Kathryn Mahoney in Ouallam, Niger A freshly paved road splits the town of Ouallam into two worlds....UNHCR to suspend operations at GDF in Tripoli amid safety concerns
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today, Thursday, 30 January, that it is suspending its operational work at the Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF), fearing for the safety and protection of people at the facility, its staff and partners amid worsening...
“War is consistent daily trauma:” Syrian-Canadian psychologist highlights the importance of mental health for refugee children
By Hannah Scott In her five years as a volunteer, clinician and child psychologist in conflict zones, Abrar Mechmechia has heard more stories and witnessed more trauma than some may ever know of in their entire lifetimes. In 2015, Abrar entered a youth centre where...
The challenge of helping child refugees in Libya overcome trauma
With refugee and migrant children in Libya in desperate need of psychological support, UNHCR is doing what it can to help despite a volatile situation. By Caroline Gluck and Mohamed Alalem in Tripoli, Libya Suicide attempts, aggressive behaviour, sleep disorders and...
Violence in Sudan’s Darfur forces thousands to flee
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Clashes in El Geneina, in Sudan’s West Darfur State, have forced more than 12,000...
Peace by Chocolate founder and Syrian refugee savours new Canadian citizenship
Wearing red and white socks emblazoned with the Maple Leaf, Tareq Hadhad wore Canada’s national symbol for the latest step in his extraordinary journey from Syrian refugee to chocolate maker —and now, Canadian citizen. By Lauren La Rose The Peace by Chocolate founder...
Knowledge and gratitude inspired donor’s legacy gift
Ann Atkinson remembers sitting in a darkened movie theatre at just five years old, intently watching the grainy, black-and-white newsreels of refugees fleeing Poland and Czechoslovakia in the aftermath of the Second World War. “I didn’t know what I was seeing until...