LETTER FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE
People before politics
Sometimes politics overshadows people. This is happening in Venezuela, which is experiencing political, economic and social turmoil like the country has never experienced before. We read media reports of conflicting claims to the presidency, military manoeuvres and widespread corruption. What is missing is the devastating result of this situation: a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
What do you do when currency inflation means you can no longer afford food for your family? Or there’s no doctor to treat your children and hospitals lack life-saving vaccines? Or violent gangs roam your neighbourhood? You do what four million Venezuelans have done over the past four years: you flee, desperate to survive.
In this issue, we share the realities of this crisis and the often-heartbreaking stories of Venezuelan people (p. 14). Some of the statistics are shocking and the challenges run deep, but UNHCR—with your support—is there on the ground providing emergency shelter, healthcare services and identifying people who require additional protection, such as unaccompanied children.
What has happened to the Rohingya?
The Rohingya people—the stateless Muslim minority fleeing violence in Myanmar—represent another humanitarian emergency that has slipped from the media radar lately. Two years have passed since more than 700,000 fled Rakhine State and arrived in Bangladesh, creating the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar.
Jean-Nicolas Beuze UNHCR Representative in Canada
We shine a light on what has happened to these people, the struggles they have faced to survive another monsoon season, and what the future holds for them (p. 8).
Canadians help empower refugees
While we have no refugee crisis in Canada, politics can sometimes be coloured by rhetoric that demonizes refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, forgetting that these newcomers often make huge contributions to our society. In this issue, we share with you The Tailor Project, an incredible Canadian economic initiative based on a 70-year-old job scheme to help post-Second World War refugees (p. 20). And we profile Jim Estill, a businessman who has sponsored the settlement of 87 refugee families (p. 10).
Is your city standing with refugees?
Canadians are knowledgeable and compassionate about why we should help refugees, both here and around the globe. It’s not surprising to me that 10 Canadian cities have joined UNHCR’s Cities #WithRefugees Campaign. You can read more in my opinion piece on page 12.
There is much more to discover in this issue, and I hope you will take a few minutes out of your busy day to learn about people who have suffered greatly but display amazing resilience at every turn.
On behalf of the entire UNHCR team, my profound gratitude for your interest and continued support.
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