Coming home After years in the field with the UN, I’m proud to continue my humanitarian work in Canada


When I assumed my new role as UNHCR Canada Representative at the beginning of 2020, I couldn’t have anticipated after returning home how Canada and the world as we know it would change so significantly in the coming months — and for the foreseeable future.


The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible imprint on daily lives and routines. We are doing everything within our personal power to keep our families and communities safe. Imagine how difficult it would be to not have ready access to health care, a safe place to live or to physically distance, or to have essentials like soap and clean water to practice proper hygiene. This is the reality for refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and other people of concern who are already struggling for their daily survival in the face of conflict, violence, persecution, economic uncertainty and food insecurity.


The daunting and difficult task of providing humanitarian support remains at the core of UNHCR’s work. Our colleagues


continue to stay and deliver vitally needed assistance to refugees and other people of concern. As UNHCR’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Bureau, I covered operations in North Africa, including Libya, the Gulf countries, Israel and Yemen. I was proud to be a part of a dedicated team providing life-saving aid to displaced families, and was able to see the powerful impact your donations can make to individuals forced to rebuild their lives.


Now that I’m back in Canada, I am deeply honoured and humbled to be able to carry the mantle for UNHCR in my home country. During my time away from Canada, I have proudly watched the country uphold its strong tradition of embracing refugees — most recently in the aftermath of the devastating Beirut explosion.


Your continued support of UNHCR is a lifeline — now more than ever. Thank you.


Rema Jamous Imseis UNHCR Canada Representative


Emergency aid for Beirut after deadly blast


many Lebanese and refugees there deeper into poverty — further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. UNHCR Chief Filippo Grandi says the organization’s immediate priority is to help 10,000 vulnerable households by repairing and safeguarding their homes.


2020 had already been particularly challenging for Lebanon before disaster struck. A devastating deadly explosion in August tore through the capital of Beirut, killing more than 150 people, leaving 5,000 people injured, and a reported 300,000 people displaced. This tragic incident comes as the country was already grappling with a severe economic crisis pushing


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While we concentrate on this emergency, let us not forget that Lebanon is affected by the COVID pandemic, and continues to host hundreds of thousands of Syrian and other refugees. All these responses, often underfunded, require our sustained attention and support.


UNHCR is also providing emergency weatherproofing materials like plastic sheeting, timber, plywood and tools, and will work to support additional rehabilitation work through cash and in-kind assistance.


© UNHCR/Ali Gharbieh


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