Levon Sevunts
@levonsevunts.bsky.social
Recovering journalist, humanitarian, hiker and history buff. @unhcr.org communications officer in Canada.
"The daily repetition of atrocities is intended to numb our conscience." - @filippograndi.unhcr.org
His speech is a wake-up call:
❗ Asylum is a right, not a threat.
❗ Refugees thrive when included.
❗ Principles don’t need rewriting, they need living.
❗ Budget cuts have disastrous consequences.
His speech is a wake-up call:
❗ Asylum is a right, not a threat.
❗ Refugees thrive when included.
❗ Principles don’t need rewriting, they need living.
❗ Budget cuts have disastrous consequences.
Daily atrocities.
Record displacement.
But we are not powerless.
Solutions are within reach. But everyone needs to hold up their end of the bargain.
High Commissioner @filippograndi.unhcr.org gave this rallying cry as he opened his final #ExCom.
Record displacement.
But we are not powerless.
Solutions are within reach. But everyone needs to hold up their end of the bargain.
High Commissioner @filippograndi.unhcr.org gave this rallying cry as he opened his final #ExCom.
October 8, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"The daily repetition of atrocities is intended to numb our conscience." - @filippograndi.unhcr.org
His speech is a wake-up call:
❗ Asylum is a right, not a threat.
❗ Refugees thrive when included.
❗ Principles don’t need rewriting, they need living.
❗ Budget cuts have disastrous consequences.
His speech is a wake-up call:
❗ Asylum is a right, not a threat.
❗ Refugees thrive when included.
❗ Principles don’t need rewriting, they need living.
❗ Budget cuts have disastrous consequences.
🚴270 km.
From Montreal to Quebec City—mirroring Damascus to Palmyra.
Safa Hammoud and a group of cyclists are pedaling for solidarity, raising $100K for @unhcr.org projects in Syria.
Donate, volunteer, or ride. #WithRefugees #EmpathyInMotion.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
From Montreal to Quebec City—mirroring Damascus to Palmyra.
Safa Hammoud and a group of cyclists are pedaling for solidarity, raising $100K for @unhcr.org projects in Syria.
Donate, volunteer, or ride. #WithRefugees #EmpathyInMotion.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Pitching in: Montreal lawyer plans Quebec cycling event to support Syrian causes
By organizing a 270-kilometre journey from Montreal to Quebec City, Safa Hammoud hopes to raise $100,000 for UNHCR projects in Syria
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
🚴270 km.
From Montreal to Quebec City—mirroring Damascus to Palmyra.
Safa Hammoud and a group of cyclists are pedaling for solidarity, raising $100K for @unhcr.org projects in Syria.
Donate, volunteer, or ride. #WithRefugees #EmpathyInMotion.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
From Montreal to Quebec City—mirroring Damascus to Palmyra.
Safa Hammoud and a group of cyclists are pedaling for solidarity, raising $100K for @unhcr.org projects in Syria.
Donate, volunteer, or ride. #WithRefugees #EmpathyInMotion.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
« En tant qu’hôte du G7, le Canada dispose d’une occasion unique de mobiliser la communauté internationale en faveur de la protection des personnes contraintes de fuir », a déclaré Tracey Maulfair, représentante du HCR au Canada. Via @sachampagne.bsky.social
www.ledevoir.com/monde/890224...
www.ledevoir.com/monde/890224...
Le Canada a accueilli une infime part de tous les réfugiés dans le monde en 2024
Le nombre de déplacés de force par les crises atteint «des sommets intenables», écrit l’ONU dans un nouveau rapport.
www.ledevoir.com
June 12, 2025 at 3:36 PM
« En tant qu’hôte du G7, le Canada dispose d’une occasion unique de mobiliser la communauté internationale en faveur de la protection des personnes contraintes de fuir », a déclaré Tracey Maulfair, représentante du HCR au Canada. Via @sachampagne.bsky.social
www.ledevoir.com/monde/890224...
www.ledevoir.com/monde/890224...
A great initiative in Toronto.
"What we know [about] refugees to Canada is they're leaving their country usually because of some traumatic events, almost always because of traumatic events," said Michael Anhorn.
"So they do have mental health challenges and concerns."👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
"What we know [about] refugees to Canada is they're leaving their country usually because of some traumatic events, almost always because of traumatic events," said Michael Anhorn.
"So they do have mental health challenges and concerns."👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
New facility to house asylum seekers in Toronto with mental health services on site | CBC News
A new facility designed to house and support refugees and asylum seekers in Toronto is set to open next month with a focus on addressing mental health issues.
www.cbc.ca
April 16, 2025 at 3:17 PM
A great initiative in Toronto.
"What we know [about] refugees to Canada is they're leaving their country usually because of some traumatic events, almost always because of traumatic events," said Michael Anhorn.
"So they do have mental health challenges and concerns."👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
"What we know [about] refugees to Canada is they're leaving their country usually because of some traumatic events, almost always because of traumatic events," said Michael Anhorn.
"So they do have mental health challenges and concerns."👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Levon Sevunts
Two years of war in Sudan.
Millions displaced. Futures lost.
Our colleague UNHCR’s Omer met Sudanese refugees in Chad.
He carries their message: “Save Sudan.”
It’s time the world listened.
Millions displaced. Futures lost.
Our colleague UNHCR’s Omer met Sudanese refugees in Chad.
He carries their message: “Save Sudan.”
It’s time the world listened.
April 15, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Two years of war in Sudan.
Millions displaced. Futures lost.
Our colleague UNHCR’s Omer met Sudanese refugees in Chad.
He carries their message: “Save Sudan.”
It’s time the world listened.
Millions displaced. Futures lost.
Our colleague UNHCR’s Omer met Sudanese refugees in Chad.
He carries their message: “Save Sudan.”
It’s time the world listened.
« Aujourd’hui, la crise au Soudan est la crise humanitaire la plus aiguë des dernières décennies », déplore @dianbalde.bsky.social.
Ne manquez pas cette chronique perspicace de @laura-julie.bsky.social pour comprendre toute la gravité de la situation.
www.lapresse.ca/internationa...
Ne manquez pas cette chronique perspicace de @laura-julie.bsky.social pour comprendre toute la gravité de la situation.
www.lapresse.ca/internationa...
Deux ans de guerre au Soudan | Le contraire d’un miracle à Zamzam
Zamzam. Dans la tradition musulmane, ce mot évoque l’intervention de Dieu dans un moment de grand désespoir. Une source d’eau qui a jailli du désert au moment où Hajar, la femme d’Abraham, pensait mou...
www.lapresse.ca
April 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
« Aujourd’hui, la crise au Soudan est la crise humanitaire la plus aiguë des dernières décennies », déplore @dianbalde.bsky.social.
Ne manquez pas cette chronique perspicace de @laura-julie.bsky.social pour comprendre toute la gravité de la situation.
www.lapresse.ca/internationa...
Ne manquez pas cette chronique perspicace de @laura-julie.bsky.social pour comprendre toute la gravité de la situation.
www.lapresse.ca/internationa...
“If you don’t have education, you have no idea about life,” says 18-year-old Hawa Ahmed Adam.
Unprecedented cuts in global humanitarian funding shut down critical health and education services for Sudanese refugees in Chad.
www.unhcr.org/news/stories...
Unprecedented cuts in global humanitarian funding shut down critical health and education services for Sudanese refugees in Chad.
www.unhcr.org/news/stories...
Aid cuts shut down critical services for Sudanese refugees in Chad | UNHCR
UNHCR and its partners are being forced to close or scale back health, education and other crucial programmes for refugees in Chad due to severe funding shortages.
www.unhcr.org
April 8, 2025 at 3:17 PM
“If you don’t have education, you have no idea about life,” says 18-year-old Hawa Ahmed Adam.
Unprecedented cuts in global humanitarian funding shut down critical health and education services for Sudanese refugees in Chad.
www.unhcr.org/news/stories...
Unprecedented cuts in global humanitarian funding shut down critical health and education services for Sudanese refugees in Chad.
www.unhcr.org/news/stories...
Reposted by Levon Sevunts
Bangladesh, UNHCR and @iom.int have launched today a US$935m programme to help Rohingya refugees and their Bangladeshi hosts in 2025.
We asked that aid cuts be avoided, as they will endanger lives.
We reaffirmed the need to create conditions for the safe, voluntary return of refugees to Myanmar.
We asked that aid cuts be avoided, as they will endanger lives.
We reaffirmed the need to create conditions for the safe, voluntary return of refugees to Myanmar.
March 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Bangladesh, UNHCR and @iom.int have launched today a US$935m programme to help Rohingya refugees and their Bangladeshi hosts in 2025.
We asked that aid cuts be avoided, as they will endanger lives.
We reaffirmed the need to create conditions for the safe, voluntary return of refugees to Myanmar.
We asked that aid cuts be avoided, as they will endanger lives.
We reaffirmed the need to create conditions for the safe, voluntary return of refugees to Myanmar.
Reposted by Levon Sevunts
Now is the time for solidarity, not retreat.
UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi on the impact of global aid cuts on refugees.
Statement: bit.ly/4kF6ou8
UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi on the impact of global aid cuts on refugees.
Statement: bit.ly/4kF6ou8
March 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Now is the time for solidarity, not retreat.
UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi on the impact of global aid cuts on refugees.
Statement: bit.ly/4kF6ou8
UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi on the impact of global aid cuts on refugees.
Statement: bit.ly/4kF6ou8
Meeting young refugee rights advocates is one of the most rewarding parts of my job at @unhcr.org. Speaking at the Refugee Parliament Conference, organized by @mcgill.ca students, was inspiring. I shared UNHCR's work and my journey from asylum-seeker to humanitarian worker. #RefugeeParliament
March 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Meeting young refugee rights advocates is one of the most rewarding parts of my job at @unhcr.org. Speaking at the Refugee Parliament Conference, organized by @mcgill.ca students, was inspiring. I shared UNHCR's work and my journey from asylum-seeker to humanitarian worker. #RefugeeParliament
Quelle est la différence entre un migrant, un réfugié et un demandeur d'asile ? Et pourquoi cela a-t-il de l'importance dans vos reportages ? Je compte sur une discussion riche et pertinente sur la couverture précise et éthique des personnes forcées de fuir.
CE SOIR : Inscrivez-vous pour Réaliser des reportages sur les personnes déplacées : un survol du guide journalistique de @unhcr.org. @levonsevunts.bsky.social et Sarah Marinier Doucet expliqueront les fondamentaux du journalisme sur les personnes déplacées. caj.ca/fr/programmes/evenements
Événements - L'Association Canadienne des Journalistes
PO Box 117, Station F Toronto, ON M4Y 2L4
caj.ca
March 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Quelle est la différence entre un migrant, un réfugié et un demandeur d'asile ? Et pourquoi cela a-t-il de l'importance dans vos reportages ? Je compte sur une discussion riche et pertinente sur la couverture précise et éthique des personnes forcées de fuir.
Reposted by Levon Sevunts
RAPPEL : Inscrivez-vous pour Réaliser des reportages sur les personnes déplacées : un survol du guide journalistique de @unhcr.org. Le 10 mars @levonsevunts.bsky.social et Sarah Marinier Doucet expliqueront les fondamentaux du journalisme sur les personnes déplacées. caj.ca/fr/programmes/evenements
Événements - L'Association Canadienne des Journalistes
caj.ca
March 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
RAPPEL : Inscrivez-vous pour Réaliser des reportages sur les personnes déplacées : un survol du guide journalistique de @unhcr.org. Le 10 mars @levonsevunts.bsky.social et Sarah Marinier Doucet expliqueront les fondamentaux du journalisme sur les personnes déplacées. caj.ca/fr/programmes/evenements
Heartbreaking news from the #DRC: More than 60,000 Congolese civilians have sought refuge in Burundi over the past 2 weeks amid rising violence. This marks an unprecedented movement in recent history. Full report by @unhcr.org : data.unhcr.org/en/documents...
CORE Burundi East DRC Situation -27 Feb 2025
This is a daily update on the new arrivals from Easter DRC to Burundi for the ongoing Eastern DRC Situation
data.unhcr.org
February 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Heartbreaking news from the #DRC: More than 60,000 Congolese civilians have sought refuge in Burundi over the past 2 weeks amid rising violence. This marks an unprecedented movement in recent history. Full report by @unhcr.org : data.unhcr.org/en/documents...
Si vous êtes journaliste au Canada et que vous souhaitez traiter des dossiers relatifs aux réfugiés et à l'asile, cet atelier gratuit est fait pour vous.
Apprenez les fondamentaux du journalisme sur les personnes déplacées avec Levon Sevunts et Sarah Marinier Doucet du HCR! Cet atelier virtuel se déroulera en français le lundi 10 mars à 19h HE. Gratuit et ouvert à tous! Inscrivez-vous à caj.ca/fr/programmes/evenements
February 27, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Si vous êtes journaliste au Canada et que vous souhaitez traiter des dossiers relatifs aux réfugiés et à l'asile, cet atelier gratuit est fait pour vous.
“We want to create a safe haven when they arrive.”
Anchor House is the first emergency housing in Canada for unaccompanied minors.
Each year 400 to 500 unaccompanied and separated children come to Canada seeking asylum.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/she...
Anchor House is the first emergency housing in Canada for unaccompanied minors.
Each year 400 to 500 unaccompanied and separated children come to Canada seeking asylum.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/she...
She sought asylum in Toronto as an unaccompanied minor. A new facility will help others like her get emergency housing and other help
Anchor House — at an undisclosed location — is believed to be the first emergency housing in Canada dedicated to unaccompanied refugee youth.
www.thestar.com
February 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
“We want to create a safe haven when they arrive.”
Anchor House is the first emergency housing in Canada for unaccompanied minors.
Each year 400 to 500 unaccompanied and separated children come to Canada seeking asylum.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/she...
Anchor House is the first emergency housing in Canada for unaccompanied minors.
Each year 400 to 500 unaccompanied and separated children come to Canada seeking asylum.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/she...
Hundreds of thousands of people have been uprooted within the DRC following the most recent uptick in violence. Now, nearly 15K Congolese from South Kivu have fled to neighbouring Burundi in search of safety.
Reporting by @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Reporting by @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
A weakened Congo falls prey to foreign armies
With no real pressure against it, M23 continues to expand southward, now controlling both North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, while Uganda boosts its military presence in Ituri province to the north
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Hundreds of thousands of people have been uprooted within the DRC following the most recent uptick in violence. Now, nearly 15K Congolese from South Kivu have fled to neighbouring Burundi in search of safety.
Reporting by @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Reporting by @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
@unhcr.org estimates that 10.6 million Ukrainians are displaced – almost a quarter of its pre-war population. Inside Ukraine, 3.7 million have been uprooted, while 6.9 million refugees continue to receive protection abroad.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-a...
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-a...
UNHCR: After three years of war, Ukrainians need peace and aid
Three years on, the full-scale war on Ukraine has taken thousands of lives, caused untold destruction, torn families apart, inflicted significant psychological trauma and devastated the country’s econ...
www.unhcr.ca
February 18, 2025 at 8:44 PM
@unhcr.org estimates that 10.6 million Ukrainians are displaced – almost a quarter of its pre-war population. Inside Ukraine, 3.7 million have been uprooted, while 6.9 million refugees continue to receive protection abroad.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-a...
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-a...
People are mainly arriving at the Gatumba border post close to the largest city, Bujumbura, exhausted and traumatized, many separated from their families with little information on their whereabouts, says my colleague Matthew Saltmarsh of @unhcr.org
www.unhcr.ca/news/thousan...
www.unhcr.ca/news/thousan...
Thousands arrive in Burundi within days, fleeing rising tension and violence in eastern DR Congo
Between 10,000 and 15,000 people have crossed into Burundi over the last few days, fleeing escalating tension and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Most of those arriving are Con...
www.unhcr.ca
February 18, 2025 at 8:38 PM
People are mainly arriving at the Gatumba border post close to the largest city, Bujumbura, exhausted and traumatized, many separated from their families with little information on their whereabouts, says my colleague Matthew Saltmarsh of @unhcr.org
www.unhcr.ca/news/thousan...
www.unhcr.ca/news/thousan...
Nearly 26 million people in Sudan and neighboring countries urgently need humanitarian aid. The brutal conflict has forced millions to flee, leaving them in desperate need of support.
@unhcr.org & @unocha.org appeal for $6B to provide life-saving assistance this year.
www.unhcr.ca/news/un-urge...
@unhcr.org & @unocha.org appeal for $6B to provide life-saving assistance this year.
www.unhcr.ca/news/un-urge...
UN urges global action to protect and support civilians devastated by Sudan’s war
Nearly two years of conflict have fueled a catastrophic protection crisis and displaced a staggering 12 million people in Sudan and across borders.
www.unhcr.ca
February 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Nearly 26 million people in Sudan and neighboring countries urgently need humanitarian aid. The brutal conflict has forced millions to flee, leaving them in desperate need of support.
@unhcr.org & @unocha.org appeal for $6B to provide life-saving assistance this year.
www.unhcr.ca/news/un-urge...
@unhcr.org & @unocha.org appeal for $6B to provide life-saving assistance this year.
www.unhcr.ca/news/un-urge...
Reposted by Levon Sevunts
“Be not afraid. Instead, choose love over fear, and curiosity over fear. Diversity is beautiful, and creation tells us that all the time.” Rev. Linda Buchanan of Beaconsfield @unitedchurchcda.bsky.social.👇
#WithRefugees
www.unhcr.ca/news/how-a-m...
#WithRefugees
www.unhcr.ca/news/how-a-m...
How a Montreal church and a refugee advocate built a model of inclusion
Having just arrived in the Montréal borough of Anjou, Adedeji “Ade” Sunday Akintayo took a long, cold journey across the city to reach an unfamiliar place. But on that October day in 2017, he found a ...
www.unhcr.ca
January 31, 2025 at 7:01 PM
“Be not afraid. Instead, choose love over fear, and curiosity over fear. Diversity is beautiful, and creation tells us that all the time.” Rev. Linda Buchanan of Beaconsfield @unitedchurchcda.bsky.social.👇
#WithRefugees
www.unhcr.ca/news/how-a-m...
#WithRefugees
www.unhcr.ca/news/how-a-m...
.@unhcr.org assisted in 43 emergencies globally in 2024. Notably, a record one-third of the 26 new emergency declarations were linked to climate and extreme weather events.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcrs-...
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcrs-...
UNHCR’s operations responded as emergencies intensified in 2024
New wars, unresolved conflicts and a spike in climate-related disasters resulted in appalling levels of death, destruction and displacement last year, forcing UNHCR’s global operations to respond to i...
www.unhcr.ca
January 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM
.@unhcr.org assisted in 43 emergencies globally in 2024. Notably, a record one-third of the 26 new emergency declarations were linked to climate and extreme weather events.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcrs-...
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcrs-...
The number of people displaced in North and South Kivu in the eastern DRC has now surged to more than 400,000 this year alone.
That's almost double the number reported just last week.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-g...
That's almost double the number reported just last week.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-g...
UNHCR gravely concerned by worsening violence and humanitarian crisis in eastern DR Congo
UNHCR is gravely concerned about the safety and security of civilians and internally displaced people (IDPs) in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as conflict further intensifies acro...
www.unhcr.ca
January 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The number of people displaced in North and South Kivu in the eastern DRC has now surged to more than 400,000 this year alone.
That's almost double the number reported just last week.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-g...
That's almost double the number reported just last week.
www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-g...
En cette journée glaciale dans la plupart des régions du Canada, c'est un bon rappel pour tous.
Si c'est votre premier hiver ici, il est important de rester au chaud et au sec. Voici quelques conseils pour rester en sécurité. ❄️
Si c'est votre premier hiver ici, il est important de rester au chaud et au sec. Voici quelques conseils pour rester en sécurité. ❄️
January 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
En cette journée glaciale dans la plupart des régions du Canada, c'est un bon rappel pour tous.
Si c'est votre premier hiver ici, il est important de rester au chaud et au sec. Voici quelques conseils pour rester en sécurité. ❄️
Si c'est votre premier hiver ici, il est important de rester au chaud et au sec. Voici quelques conseils pour rester en sécurité. ❄️