A school principal at 18: This teen helped build a school and hope for refugee children
By Zeba Tasci in Ottawa, Canada When Abdullah Sarwari was 16 years old, he believed his education had come to an end. His family had fled to Indonesia after years of displacement, joining thousands of refugees waiting for safety and a chance to rebuild their lives....
Explainer: How UNHCR is using AI to support refugees and improve operations
From tools to boost internal efficiency to improved refugee services and early warning systems, UNHCR is applying artificial intelligence – safely and responsibly – to support people forced to flee. By Barney Thompson in London, UK Data on displaced...
A new beginning through play: how Welcome to Play brings hope, healing and belonging to kids in Edmonton
By Zeba Tasci in Ottawa, Canada When families arrive in a new country after fleeing conflict, persecution or uncertainty, the world they once knew feels far away — and the challenges of building a new life can feel overwhelming. For children and parents alike, the...
Calgary’s Soccer Without Boundaries: ‘We invest in them, they come back as mentors’
By Erika Ehrenberg in Ottawa, Canada In the southwestern Calgary community of Glenbrook, children as young as five set up orange, plastic cones to mark their field. In a small park—modest and once underused—young children soon arrive. Around the neighborhood, youth...
“Soccer gave me community”: How Héritier Masimengo found integration and belonging through soccer
Gratitude is the first thing people notice about Héritier Masimengo. Before speaking about his achievements, his work, or his goals, he pauses to say thank you—for the opportunity to share his story, and for the people who helped shape it. “I’m thankful,” he says...
Turning hardship into hope: A Refugee in El Salvador transforms her experience of displacement into resilience and hope
Thanks to support from donors such as the Government of Canada, Lucía was able to rebuild her life far from threats and now contributes to the community that welcomed her. By Jacqueline Steffanie Henriquez Sánchez in San Salvador, El Salvador Lucía* was only 17 years...
“I am addicted to the truth”: A Venezuelan journalist finds safety and purpose in Canada
Forced to flee Venezuela for his work, journalist Halim Naim found safety through Canada’s Human Rights Defenders program. Now, he is showing that this protection can be the foundation and platform to rebuild a life and continue the fight for the truth. By Zeba Tasci...
Families fill classrooms in Lebanon as spiraling displacement strains aid effort
As hundreds of thousands of Lebanese flee continued Israeli strikes and evacuation warnings, collective shelters are rapidly filling up while humanitarian stocks are running low. By Dalal Harb in Beirut, Lebanon The high-pitched sound of children’s voices echoes...