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War has forced millions of families to flee their homes

This is the most urgent story of our time

As soon as I got the letter, I opened it, read it and I just couldn’t control my emotions at the time.

“For me to able to get into the program was an objective that I had to achieve to help my family for a better life.” Arash, refugee from Afghanistan, tells his story and how he met Jessie… a video by the World University Service of Canada

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Being resettled himself meant Abdi could help others. “One lady refused to enter her house,” he says. “I spoke to [her] over the phone – she said ‘I can hear you’re speaking in the Somali language but are you really a Somali person?’"

“I said, ‘calm down, I’m from Dadaab like you, this is how life here starts’. I went to reassure her [and] she began crying, saying she didn’t think she would see someone there like her.”

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Andrea Kiel’s Story, Kenya

I turn to see a pair of sad eyes looking up at me through the barbed wire fence. In that moment, I feel like I’ve learned the true meaning of complete heartbreak…

“I never imagined this could happen to us! We are just normal people minding our own business.”

Anna-Carin Öst, UNHCR Poland Representative tells the story of Ishaq, a special friend of her who sold his shop and house, took his family and fled besieged Damascus.

Those days were very tough yet were blessings too. Among all the privileges, the education opportunity was the best gift ever.

There was severe poverty, very casual medical support, extreme lack of sanitation, and lack of food which caused a lot of pain and suffering for many. Despite all of this, the place where I grew up and spent my entire childhood I will always treasure and cherish those memories in my heart.

"I want to finish school and get a good job in order to support my relatives in Africa, because I know that the life that they are living is not easy in the least. I know because I lived it."

Ushindi has a bright future ahead in Canada where he attends school for free and never has to go hungry. He has expanded his horizons and has found new hope.

Egzona Duraj’s Story, Canada

Egzona is so grateful for the opportunities Canada provides from schooling to jobs as well as allowing him to express himself artistically.

Living a refugee life is hard. It’s dark with no future, no hope, no dreams and no destiny. But I thank God that he had a plan for me.

He gives me strength to face my daily struggle. And thankfully he brought me here in the land of opportunity to explore the world. I am renewed again.

Karel’s story, Czech Republic

When Mr. Karel finally returned from his emigration to Canada he was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Yet, he was glad he had come back.

Getting refugee status is like getting a new birth certificate. You have to start your life again and it’s not easy.

For me, the most frustrating thing is being on financial benefits and not being able to find a job. But that’s made me even more determined to re-qualify in my profession. I’ve now passed all my exams. I’m hopeful that I will be able to work here as a doctor soon.

Marzia’s Story, Central African Republic

Marzia considers a letter from a refugee as one of the most rewarding moments in her work…

Life has been difficult for me, but my experiences have made me stronger. Being young and a woman, it isn’t easy to find your place in a new community.

But I’ve learned to be proud to be Eritrean. Until you are aware of it, you don’t realize how important it is to belong to something

Nathaniel’s Story, World University Service of Canada

On World Refugee Day, Nathaniel is not only reminded of the years he spent in a refugee camp, but also of great achievements…

1 family torn apart by war is too many

Learn more about our work with refugees at UNHCR.org