As refugee supports across Canada continue to evolve, DIVERSEcity and UNHCR came together to explore collaboration and centre the voices and experiences of people seeking safety and a new beginning in Canada.
As the landscape for welcoming refugees evolves in Canada with lower numbers and reduced services, organizations supporting refugees want to ensure the humanitarian needs of people seeking safety in Canada are still met.
Neelam Sahota, CEO, DIVERSEcity, welcomed Tracey Maulfair, the Canada Representative for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Darcy Knoll, Head of Communications, to DIVERSEcity this week to share more about our work in helping refugees and refugee claimants, and explore ways to collaborate.
UNHCR is dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution, and Ms. Maulfair brings global experience to Canada, supporting UNHCR’s work in Geneva, New York, Lebanon, Pakistan, Namibia, Liberia, Türkiye and more.
Some of the refugees we serve at DIVERSEcity attended the meeting to share their stories and hopes for their futures in Canada with UNHCR.
DIVERSEcity RISE case specialist Amin came with a Rohingya husband and wife, Abul and Humaira, who arrived in Canada only six months ago. Despite language barriers and personal loss, the couple are committed to integrating in Canada. “They are very dedicated. He said ‘I don’t want anything from the government. I want to find a job,’” said Amin. In six months, he already is working as a dock worker for a shipping company, and she’s taking English classes while caring for their two kids.
Safe Haven support worker Melani brought Ivonne, her son, and toddler. A single mother from Mexico who had a thriving baking business, she fled to Canada when the cartel threatened her livelihood and her family’s safety, even coming into her home and extorting money. She was quite distraught as she had just given birth so with some savings and help from her family, she flew to Canada and asked for asylum. As she works through the refugee claimant process, the family is thrilled to be in Canada, with the kids thriving in school and her doing catering and baking, sharing her delicious Mexican cuisine and skills with the local community.
Supporting refugees to build new lives is an important part of DIVERSEcity’s work in building connected, stronger and healthier communities.
Learn more about the work of UNHCR and the issues facing refugees globally here.
Learn about DIVERSEcity’s RISE program here.