News Releases
We bring you the most up-to-date information from UNHCR Canada through news releases.
Photo: © UNHCR / Roger Arnold
Hundreds suffer at Hungary-Serbia border
RÖSZKE, Hungary – Sayed Parwez Ahmadi looks concerned as he puts another twig on the fire burning in front of their family tent in the makeshift camp near Röszke on the Hungary-Serbia border. His wife, brother and two cousins pull closer to the flames, as the...
Refugee athletes set to leave for Rio Olympics and history
NAIROBI, Kenya—Amid tears of joy, farewell hugs and songs of encouragement a group of smiling young refugee African athletes flew out of Nairobi today bound for the Rio Olympics in Brazil and an appointment with history. Five middle-distance runners from South Sudan,...
Flight is familiar for some South Sudan families
ADJUMANI, Uganda—Lucy Lul says she realised war was coming when she heard there was a convoy of vehicles on the road from Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to Uganda. She and her husband packed a bag with their children’s clothes, she grabbed her handbag and they ran...
Refugees transform walls into works of art
SAADI, Iran – Until recently, discriminating graffiti and widespread rubbish problems fuelled social tensions between Iranians and Afghans in the Saadi neighbourhood of Shiraz, Iran. Now, thanks to UNHCR and the Government of Iran, refugees and the local community...
Hungary sending asylum seekers back to Serbia
RÖSZKE, Hungary – The UN Refugee Agency said today it was deeply concerned that asylum-seekers were reportedly being forced back across the border into Serbia under new Hungarian regulations and called for an investigation into reports that they were being subjected...
Facebook group helps Syrian refugees in Lebanon
SAIDA, Lebanon – When her son was assaulted, Nour, a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon, did not know where to go for help—so she turned to Facebook. Her first point of contact was “I am a Syrian in Lebanon,” a Facebook group that has been helping to answer a wide range...
Necessity of open borders for South Sudan refugees
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Leo Dobbs – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 12 July 2016, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNHCR is calling on all armed parties to ensure safe passage for people fleeing...
Canada’s Blue Rodeo stands with refugees
Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo has partnered with UNHCR to record Stand Together with Refugees. In addition to their generous cash donation to support the Syrian refugee crisis late last year, Blue Rodeo continues to show its support for refugees worldwide...
Refugees risk all to escape Central American gangs
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (UNHCR) – As a police officer in El Salvador, Carolina* worked in a unit protecting kidnap victims and murder witnesses, so they could help bring the perpetrators to justice. Then the gangs turned on her. Members of a powerful street gang tracked...
The man who changes lives
TORBALI, Turkey – One man can change lives. Just ask the Syrian refugees in Torbali, near Izmir, about the work of Levent Topçu. Levent, known to the refugees simply by his first name, is the 52-year-old general manager of Ege, a Turkish company that makes leather...
To inquire about news releases, please reach out to our Media Contact:
Media Contact
Levon Sevunts
Communications Officer
P: +1 613-286-6975
E: sevunts@unhcr.org
Darcy Knoll
Senior Communications Officer
P: +1 613-219-4446
E: knoll@unhcr.org
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