On International Human Solidarity Day, we want to recognize Canada’s Humanitarian Transfer Programme as a tangible and meaningful example of solidarity towards refugees. Resettlement allows refugees to rebuild their lives in a third country that has agreed to welcome them. In November 2015 Canada pledged to resettle an additional 25,000 […]
On International Human Solidarity Day, we want to recognize Canada’s Humanitarian Transfer Programme as a tangible and meaningful example of solidarity towards refugees.
Resettlement allows refugees to rebuild their lives in a third country that has agreed to welcome them. In November 2015 Canada pledged to resettle an additional 25,000 Syrian refugees and plans to increase refugee intake up to 57,000 by end of 2016.
Over 37,400 refugees have already restarted their lives in Canada through the Humanitarian Transfer Programme or other resettlement programs such as private sponsorship.
To prepare refugees to live in their new country, Canada provides them with pre-departure cultural orientation sessions, facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Before their departure from Lebanon to Canada, Syrian refugees attend preparatory orientation sessions. These sessions are facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). At the beginning of the programme, Farah, the IOM facilitator, asks the participants what they know about Canada. The “Canadian Orientation Abroad” sessions provide refugees with accurate information about life in Canada, help them develop realistic expectations to successfully adapt to their new lives, and provide information regarding their rights, freedoms, responsibilities and obligations as permanent residents. © UNHCR/Haidar Darwish
During one of the activities of the “Canadian Orientation Abroad” sessions, Farah hands out various portraits to the participants and asks them to determine which ones are Canadians. The purpose of this exercise is to show that anybody can be Canadian, regardless of their heritage and appearance. © UNHCR/Haidar Darwish
During the “Canadian Orientation Abroad” sessions, refugees who are about to travel to Canada work together to learn more about the geography of the country. One of the participants is Mohamed (38, second from the left) who has been in Lebanon with his wife and four children for almost five years. “I am very happy that my family and I are going to Canada, I am counting down the days.” © UNHCR/Haidar Darwish
Mohamed, his wife Maisan (33) and children Nancy (13), Aya (12), Karim (9) and Celine (4) pose for picture in front of the Canadian flag at the end of the “Canadian Orientation Abroad” session. The children are not attending school and they are looking forward to going back to the school benches once in Canada. © UNHCR/Haidar Darwish
Note: This post was originally posted on UNHCR Lebanon’s Facebook page.
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