Victoria city councillor inspired by his refugee past to serve community
Victoria city councillor Sharmarke Dubow wants to make his beautiful coastal city a more liveable place for everyone. It’s no surprise then that he based his 2018 electoral campaign on a vision of a more inclusive and vibrant urban community with a strong focus on...
UNHCR scales up response as record number of Venezuelans arrive in Peru
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has sent extra teams to the border between Peru and Ecuador to support the authorities to deal with an unprecedented number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants entering Peru. Peruvian authorities announced new visa requirements for...
Bad times, then good times, for Valens and his family
When deadly violence threatened his village in 2012, Valens Nzayisenga took immediate action to save the lives of his wife and children. “I found out that my brother, who has looking after his livestock, was abducted by one of the militias. That’s the day we decided...
Older Colombians and Venezuelans take care of each other under the same roof
Grandpa’s House hosts Colombian seniors who were left alone. Now it has increased its capacity to also shelter Venezuelans on the move. RIOHACHA, Colombia – Morato Martinez, a 75-year-old Colombian, spends his days painting the walls of Grandpa’s House, the care...
Angelina Jolie calls for leadership and humanity as millions flee Venezuela
On a two-day visit to Colombia, the UNHCR Special Envoy met with refugees, returnees and government officials to assess the human impact of a mounting exodus. By Christopher Reardon MAICAO, Colombia – With over 4 million Venezuelans now living in exile, UNHCR Special...
Becoming the best of friends in Beirut
Shadi is Syrian and Elie is Lebanese. They met on a Beirut movie set and are now best friends. Elie is from Lebanon and Shadi is a refugee from Syria. Both are part-time actors and they met on the set of a movie in Beirut. The two 33-year-olds instantly clicked,...
Statement by UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie as Venezuelan refugees and migrants top 4 million
In 2002, 2010 and 2012 I was in Ecuador visiting some of the many Colombians who had fled the conflict. I said to the families that I met that I looked forward to visiting Colombia itself, when peace made it possible for refugees to return. Today, I have met returning...
Rohingya refugees fret for their children’s futures
UNHCR is promoting more learning opportunities and higher teaching standards for thousands of young Rohingya refugees. By Caroline Gluck and Iffath Yeasmine in Kutupalong refugee settlement, Bangladesh When Abu Sayed, father of six, thinks about the future of his...