It's often said that bad news travels fast, and it does. It also appears to monopolize a large part of our media and public discourse, and there is some truth to that. But the situation is not all that bleak. On World Refugee Day, a day that could be prone to divisive rhetoric and negativity, some professionals like me have a unique view into something powerfully uniting and inspiring that deserves to be highlighted. Even in the face of division, conflict and challenging economic times, a significant number of Canadians continue to give generously to support refugees around the world.
We are, after all, a very diverse and globally minded people. Refugees are not only on our minds due to the news, but also through family links and the other connections of our modern world. Even beyond that, most of us recognize the plight and importance of refugees in world history. In 2011, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), estimated roughly 805,000 refugees in the world needing resettlement. Today, that number exceeds two million. In Gaza alone, there are an estimated 1.7 million people, 75 per cent of its population, that are internally displaced. These individuals and families are fleeing some of the darkest and most challenging events anyone can face: conflict, persecution, famine, despair, or other natural or human-made tragedies.
While that number is daunting and growing fast, our organization has witnessed remarkable resilience among donors. The resolve and commitment of everyday Canadian philanthropists to invest in the well-being of refugees is notable, even when the odds or the economic conditions might seem unfavorable. They show us that charity and hope unite us, proving that unsung heroes outnumber hostile or violent actors, and that refugees are valued and remembered every day of the year.
Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh were forcibly displaced into Armenia,October 2023, as a result of Azerbaijan's occupation. CNEWA has supported refugees in the Middle and Near East since 1926.
In regions where we serve, the desperate cry of refugees and migrants echoes through alleys and valleys, conveying their deep desire not only to survive but also to retain hope for a better tomorrow. We hear their stories daily. It is during the crucial first moments of displacement that their cries are the loudest, but their need for essential services, goods, and support often extends beyond months and all too often years.
That’s when people like Sister Bernadette d’Hauteville of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Caritas Internationalis and Pontifical Mission for Palestine come into play. These organizations, partners of ours, provide essential services in times of acute crisis, but also in the years that follow. The sisters, for example, have been in Aleppo, Syria since 1914. Before conflict began in 2011, their convent was equipped to receive aging sisters from across the region. Before the civil war, the community counted some 23 sisters; today, only four remain. Originally from France, Sister Bernadette spent some 50 years living in various places throughout the Middle East before returning to Aleppo in 2014 to serve those needing refuge. During the war, she played a crucial role in welcoming everyone, regardless of their circumstance or situation. Through their donations, Canadians support the work of Sr. Bernadette and her sisters more than ever.
Millions of people, including many Canadians, have been steadfast in remembering heroes like Sister Bernadette and have supported families worldwide facing the devastating effects of conflict, poverty, or other forms of disaster. With their steady funding, for example, we have been able to deliver milk, vitamins and cereal directly to families in need in Gaza. Acts of charity delivered by our community of staff, volunteers and partners on the ground are even more effective and expansive thanks to the ongoing generosity of Canadians. Despite living in a post-pandemic world with its own difficulties, Canadians have been faithful in giving their love, prayers, and financial support to those who need it most.
As we mark World Refugee Day in union with humanitarian organizations around the world, it brings us great comfort and strength to know that thousands of Canadians stand in solidarity with us in support of people in need—feeding them when they are hungry, bandaging them when they are injured, and sheltering them when they have no place to call home or are at risk of losing hope. This work is an embodiment of our shared humanity and the great command to “love one another.”
May we continue to support refugees of all backgrounds and be witnesses of love and care for those in need. Our work is incredibly important and life-giving, yet far from over. Why? Because every day is World Refugee Day.
Dr. Adriana Bara is National Director for CNEWA Canada, a papal agency that works for, through and with Eastern churches throughout the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Learn more at cnewa.ca.
(Photo: Shan't Khatcherian/CNEWA)
