As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, UNHCR remains on the ground providing urgent assistance. Your generosity has helped our teams reach 4.7 million people in Ukraine so far. From distributing emergency supplies during the freezing winter months to repairing homes damaged by shelling – your gifts are helping us protect lives. In this edition, Ukrainians share their stories on the difference your support has made.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Türkiye-Syria earthquake appeal – you’re giving shelter, relief items and psychosocial support to people displaced in both countries. Just two days after the quakes struck on 6 February, the team at Okay Bears, an online start-up selling one-of-a-kind digital illustrations, ran an auction which raised over $23,000 for families affected by the quakes. You can read our interview with Peter Gould, who is one of the creatives behind Okay Bears as well as our Islamic Philanthropy Ambassador, here.
This month, we congratulate former refugee Zabi Malik on winning the 2023 Beddie Scholarship, enabling him to study at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Born in Afghanistan and raised in Adelaide, Zabi’s passion for acting and film-making earned him the coveted award, valued at over $75,000, to further develop his storytelling talent.
When Australian GP Dr Mick Brownstein was asked to mentor a Syrian refugee, he leapt at the chance. Dr Mick connected with Omar, who is completing his medical degree in Jordan, through the Connecting Worlds app. Over three months, Dr Mick learnt about Omar’s dangerous escape from Syria, his resilience as a refugee and his heartfelt passion for helping Syrians. Watch Dr Mick and Omar talk about how the program has enriched them both.
Your donations have helped over 4.7 million people affected by the war in Ukraine. From delivering life-saving supplies to providing art therapy, Ukrainians share their stories on the difference your support has made as the war enters its second year.
Within two days of last month’s devastating earthquakes, Okay Bears created and auctioned a digital bear to raise funds for the people of Türkiye and Syria. Peter Gould shares the team’s creative process.
Australian GP Dr Mick Brownstein has mentored Syrian refugee Omar, who is studying medicine in Jordan, through the Connecting Worlds app. In this video, they share how the three-month program has enriched them both.
You're invited to Australia for UNHCR’s World Refugee Day event on Thursday 15 June at the Fullerton Hotel in Martin Place, Sydney. The event will be hosted by award-winning ABC journalist and broadcaster Tracey Holmes.
