A winning solution for refugees and Canadian employers takes roots in Pictou County
A program connecting employers with qualified refugees is taking root in Nova Scotia. It could address shortages in the local health care sector, and lead to similar efforts across Canada and in other countries. By UNHCR Canada Through the efforts of RefugePoint, an...
Refugee women scale Atlas mountain to tackle gender violence
An all-female group including 13 refugees from six countries set out to climb Mount Toubkal – Morocco’s highest peak – to highlight the struggle to end violence against women. By Kawtar Abendag and Ass Hagouchi in Toubkal National Park, Morocco As the red sand plains...
50,000 burpees in 365 days: Quebec man raises money to help refugees through UNHCR in unique birthday fundraiser
A new way to celebrate: One burpee, two burpees, three burpees, four … By Susan Pedwell Maxence Renaud is turning 50 next August. Instead of throwing a midlife crisis party or buying himself a shiny new sports car, Renaud is raising funds for the UN Refugee Agency...
Warmth and kindness in the Canadian wilderness
The Arafat family were terrified when they fled their home in Syria. Now they are finding new hope and happiness in a Canadian mountain community. By Leyland Cecco and Annie Sakkab in Whitehorse, Canada From a bay window, the elder Arafat children, along with their...
Sweet story: “Peace by Chocolate” documents Hadhad family’s extraordinary journey from Syria to Canada
By Tareq Hadhad and John Tattrie, as told to Lauren La Rose Tareq Hadhad ended the year much like he started it: marking two major milestones of his remarkable new life in Canada. The week before Christmas 2020 marked five years since Tareq landed in Canada as a...
Sultans of String celebrates “Refuge” album with online concert fundraiser for refugees
By Lauren La Rose Sultans of String’s Chris McKhool admits it was “pretty devastating” to see dozens of shows cancelled for his band’s biggest-ever tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it wasn’t long before a moment of disappointment turned to one of tremendous...
#IAmAnAdvocate: Q&A with Canadian author and refugee advocate Robin Stevenson
When Canadian children’s author Robin Stevenson saw the headlines about the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, she knew she had to help. The Vancouver Island-based writer, mother and refugee advocate and resettlement sponsor explains why it is so important for her...
A moving tribute to the victims of Nova Scotia’s mass shooting
Resettled to Canada four years ago, a Syrian refugee who fled war in Syria pays a vibrant tribute to the 22 victims of the deadliest rampage in Canadian history. By Emmanuelle Paciullo, UNHCR Canada “I’ve never been to Nova Scotia, which is 6000 km from where I live,...