Stories
The latest stories from UNHCR.
Photo: © UNHCR/Roland Schonbauer
We take special care to bring you the latest refugee news and stories of the men, women and children we help each day.
Refugees and human rights student poetry contest, 2016 edition
UNHCR, the CCUNESCO and COSTI Immigrant Services are happy to announce the winners of the “Refugees and Human Rights Poetry Contest, 2016 edition”. Canadian students from grades 4 to 12 from schools across the country submitted high quality poems as part of this...
The importance of education for a young girl’s independence
Beautifully illustrated, Barikan tells of a story about an encounter with her mother. As a young girl, Barikan had wished for her mother to buy her shoes. In response, her mother encouraged her to get an education and become an independent woman so she could buy shoes...
UNHCR goodwill ambassador Cate Blanchett visits refugees in Jordan
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has announced the appointment of Cate Blanchett as a Global Goodwill Ambassador. The announcement comes as Cate returns from Jordan where she witnessed the ongoing humanitarian support to people displaced by conflict in Syria. She met...
Town hall with UN refugee chief
During his March visit to Ottawa, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi sat down with Louisa Taylor, Director of Refugee 613, to discuss the challenges of maintaining the safety and survival of refugees, and how the people of Ottawa have...
A Syrian family starts over in Canada
Wearing earplugs and protective gloves, Kevork Eleyjian hauls glued-wood veneers to a large machine on a noisy factory floor, shaping thin composite sheets into curved seats. The 28-year-old is among 15 Syrian refugees starting their lives over with jobs at the...
The kindness of strangers
Mohammad and Sahar sat across the aisle from one another, each with a son and daughter to care for during the 13-hour flight. Refugees from Syria, they had never been on a plane before. This life-changing journey would take them on four in as many days. Behind them...
UNHCR chief hails Canada PM’s leadership in global affairs
OTTAWA, Canada, March 22 (UNHCR) – Marking his first visit to Canada, the United Nations refugee chief congratulated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his humanitarian leadership over the global refugee crisis and conveyed a strong message of support calling for this...
High Commissioner Grandi greets Syrian refugees in Ottawa
OTTAWA, Canada, March 19 (UNHCR) – Just hours after landing in Ottawa, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met a group of Syrian refugees who recently arrived to Ottawa. The families came to Canada as part of Canada's humanitarian...
UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Ottawa March 19-22
The new UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi will be in Ottawa on 19-22 March 2016. As part of his first official mission to Canada, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will meet with senior government Officials and will address the Canadian...
Video: Syrian refugee cousins head to Canada
Two happy cousins now call Canada home. Meet Maryam and Sundos—two rays of sunshine who are among the first of 25,000 Syrian refugees to arrive in Canada.
Donate Today
Please help refugee families in need.