Amid the ruins of Aleppo, UNHCR sees signs of hope
Syria Representative Sajjad Malik says 261,000 residents have received winter aid, but needs persist as many shelter in damaged buildings and informal camps. ALEPPO, Syria– UN agencies are rushing to provide urgent aid to the civilians of Aleppo and are finding...
Syrian violinist helps Canadian community hear his song
Sari Alesh’s promising music career was cut short by war. With the help of sponsors, the violinist can now play once more. Unlike most of the 31,000 Syrian refugees arriving to Canada over the last year, Sari Alesh, 31, did not bring a trade. Instead, among his few...
Aleppo – a look behind the numbers
Frontline humanitarian workers capture the heartache and hopes of the recently displaced in and around Aleppo. With so much attention on the numbers of people fleeing fighting, UNHCR staff and partners on the ground share a rare glimpse into the lives of those...
East Aleppo residents tell of horror, cold and hunger
As they find safety in west Aleppo, displaced residents from the devastated east of the city describe the violence and shortages that led them to run for their lives. ALEPPO, Syria – Hunger finally drove 16-year-old Mohammad and his family to abandon their home in...
Syrian seamstress becomes a part of community fabric
With the help of sponsors, Rabiaa Al Soufi’s skills have become a valued part of one tight-knit community in Nova Scotia, Canada. By Leyland Cecco and Annie Sakkab in Antigonish, Canada When a local hockey coach phoned Rabiaa Al Soufi, she didn’t hesitate before...
Stand up for refugees, stand up for rights
The recent enthusiasm in Canada for the refugee cause shows how each of us can stand up for the rights of others. OTTAWA—On Dec. 10, the world marked International Human Rights Day. This is the time to raise awareness globally of the critical importance of the body of...
A tough road north for Central American children
Fleeing gang violence in El Salvador and Honduras, children risk abuse, smugglers and drug cartels in a desperate trek in search of safety. Nine-year-old Carlos and four-year-old Susana sit on the banks of the Usumacinta River in Guatemala with their father, Geronimo...
How a Canadian community helped to heal the wounds of war
Ripped from home in Syria, Husam and Noura feared for their family and future. But one Canadian community has helped them to dream again. Husam and Noura Eshadi grew up as neighbours and fell in love as teenagers in Aleppo, Syria. Married, with a baby daughter and a...