Image Captured Transforming Multitudes Destinies

In recent years, the world has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people forcibly displaced, with the UN Refugee Agency reporting that today, 120 million people are displaced compared to 65 million in 2015. Joey Hanna, head of the Montreal office of the UN Refugee Agency, expresses concern about this significant reduction in spaces for protection and refuge worldwide.

The issue of refugees gained prominence in Canada during the 2015 federal election, with Justin Trudeau promising to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees. This promise was a response to a global outpouring of sympathy following the publication of a powerful photograph taken by Turkish photojournalist Nilufer Demir. The image, which quickly circulated globally, depicted a three-year-old Syrian boy named Alan Kurdi, dressed in blue shorts and a red t-shirt, dead from drowning.

The photo caused a wave of indignation and sympathy for the suffering of Syrian conflict victims, and it also had a profound impact in Canada. Paul Clarke, head of the Montreal Refugee Action organization at the time, states that the photo changed the lives of thousands, if not millions of people. After its publication, Mr. Clarke's phone did not stop ringing with calls from people wanting to help Syrian refugees.

As a result, significant resettlement efforts were made, with Canada welcoming tens of thousands of Syrian refugees through government-sponsored and private sponsorship programs. These efforts fostered integration and support, although specific quantitative details from the last decade are not readily available.

However, the momentum of solidarity for refugees has faded over time, according to Joey Hanna. This erosion of solidarity is attributed to certain political discourses that inspire fear and polarize, and make erroneous amalgamations about people seeking asylum.

The acceptance rate for asylum claims in Canada is high, with 78% of cases deemed credible by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Contrary to what many claim, asylum seekers are not primarily seeking economic opportunities.

In contrast, the situation has changed dramatically since then. In 2024, the UN Refugee Agency had submitted 203,000 refugee resettlement cases to partner countries, but this year, that number could drop to 33,000 due to the low number of places offered by states.

Moreover, the collective sponsorship program, which was instrumental in the resettlement of Syrian refugees, has become moribund. Additionally, the new Agreement on Safe Third Countries and the rise of anti-migrant rhetoric are contributing factors to the erosion of solidarity for refugees.

The difficult economic context, exacerbated by inflation and the housing crisis, is also a factor in this erosion of solidarity. Thousands of dollars in anonymous donations started pouring into the organization's coffers, and three more employees were hired, indicating a continued interest in supporting refugees despite the challenges.

Despite these challenges, Joey Hanna remains hopeful that the spirit of solidarity for refugees can be rekindled. The photo of Alan Kurdi, while evoking a painful situation, serves as a reminder of the humanity and vulnerability of those seeking refuge. The UN Refugee Agency continues to work tirelessly to provide protection and support for those displaced by crises around the world.