© UNHCR/David Azia UNHCR Canada Senior Fundraising Communications Associate Lauren


La Rose (left) meets with Syrian refugee Zeenab (centre) and her daughter Rahaf, 7, at their shelter in Zaatari Camp in Jordan.


Among a family of new arrivals at the camp, I recalled seeing a teenage boy sporting socks and flip-flops on a cool, crisp November day—the only footwear he had.


Many of the families I met spoke of being forced to leave Syria with only the clothes on their backs—and perhaps a spare set if they were lucky. Rajaa’s mother recalled how her family was desperately hungry, going without food for 48 hours, as they huddled together in the cold awaiting entry into Jordan.


Yet despite these unimaginable hardships, I experienced nothing but warmth and hospitality from each refugee family who invited us into their home. Trays of piping hot,


UNHCR.CA


sweetened black tea greeted us at virtually every turn as we visited homes within the camps and in cities. And even as tears fell onto cheeks and brows furrowed recalling painful memories, inevitably, smiles would always peek through as they spoke of


their families, arrival of newborns, and future aspirations.


This is the hope that I carried with me as I left Jordan. I’m uncertain of what lies ahead for these families. But I am heartened and confident in the knowledge that their resilience and positive attitudes will help to sustain them, and that the promise of better and brighter days will hopefully await them all. «


@UNHCRCANADA UNHCR CANADA UNHCR CANADA / 15


the imminent


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28