The friendship of a lifetime

From Panama City to Beirut, refugees and their hosts are striking up enduring friendships. Watch their stories here.

Panamanian Miguel, 16, and Venezuelan refugee Maria, 15, share a moment in Panama City, Panama.
© UNHCR/Diana Diaz

By Diana Diaz in Panama City, Panama | 13 June 2019 | Español | Français | عربي

Miguel, 16, is from Panama and Maria, aged 15, is an asylum seeker from Venezuela. They met in their neighbourhood in Panama City and hit it off immediately.

With a shared love for movies, karaoke and hamburgers they soon became best friends.

Maria has since come a long way thanks to the new friendships she has made along the way

“I miss my family in Venezuela a lot. All those I left behind that I love, my friends,” she says. “But here I’ve grown as a person.”

You can watch more stories about friendships between refugees and their hosts in cities around the world, from Beirut to Nairobi, Paris, Denver and Kuala Lumpur.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is challenging everyone to join together and take a step in solidarity with refugees in their communities. Click here to find out more.