Recovering journalist, humanitarian, hiker and history buff. @unhcr.org communications officer in Canada. https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3monx7elshs2m“When someone is given a second chance at life, they are not going to take it for granted.” Ahead of #WorldRefugeeDay, read the stories of Muhaddisa, Abdul and Esperance and the data proving how refugees shape Canada for the better. By @nicholaskeung.bsky.social https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/canada-gave-these-former-refugees-a-chance-now-theyre-pushing-back-against-anti-refugee-claims/article_a351237b-4035-4fa3-a1ac-f5eecfd35ad7.html19 Jun 2026 18:16 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3monx7elshs2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3mni3gayfr22kLooking forward to presenting at the CAJ 2026 Conference. How often do we get the language wrong? And what does that mean for the people we cover? A practical session on ethical, trauma-informed reporting on refugees and asylum-seekers. #CAJ2026 #journalism04 Jun 2026 16:50 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3mni3gayfr22khttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3miekqmtkas2g“People are thinking about their future… They’re already taking risky action, going to different countries.” — Rohingya refugee Bul Bul Akter. Powerful reporting by @jgriffiths.bsky.social on the impact of aid cuts in Bangladesh. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-us-aid-cuts-rohingya-refugee-camps/31 Mar 2026 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3miekqmtkas2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3m2otsyyw4k2b"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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]08 Oct 2025 14:24 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2otsyyw4k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lzbqdzuw4s25🚴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. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-pitching-in-montreal-lawyer-plans-quebec-cycling-event-to-support/20 Sep 2025 15:52 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzbqdzuw4s25https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lrgary2iis23« 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 https://www.ledevoir.com/monde/890224/canada-accueilli-infime-part-tous-refugies-monde-202412 Jun 2025 15:36 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrgary2iis23https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lmwv5ypfrc26A 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."👇 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ont-refugee-shelter-1.751100816 Apr 2025 15:17 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmwv5ypfrc26https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lmupj3bllc23« 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. https://www.lapresse.ca/international/chroniques/2025-04-15/deux-ans-de-guerre-au-soudan/le-contraire-d-un-miracle-a-zamzam.php15 Apr 2025 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmupj3bllc23https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lmcrg3o2bs2l“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. https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/aid-cuts-shut-down-critical-services-sudanese-refugees-chad08 Apr 2025 15:16 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmcrg3o2bs2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lklunyrmlc2eMeeting 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. #RefugeeParliament17 Mar 2025 19:18 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lklunyrmlc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lk2dmezgs22iQuelle 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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Mar 2025 19:58 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lk2dmezgs22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3ljas3upql22pHeartbreaking 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 : https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/11475028 Feb 2025 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljas3upql22phttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lj6mqaogpc24Si 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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Feb 2025 19:26 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lj6mqaogpc24https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lizl3lqv7s2r“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. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/she-sought-asylum-in-toronto-as-an-unaccompanied-minor-a-new-facility-will-help-others/article_50ae1b3e-e981-11ef-94a6-f7b37969a3f9.html25 Feb 2025 19:14 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lizl3lqv7s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lijzey2ifk2yHundreds 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 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-a-weakened-congo-falls-prey-to-foreign-armies/19 Feb 2025 14:47 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lijzey2ifk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lii4u62fs22g@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. https://www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-after-three-years-of-war-ukrainians-need-peace-and-aid/18 Feb 2025 20:44 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lii4u62fs22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lii4jmf67k2gPeople 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 https://www.unhcr.ca/news/thousands-arrive-in-burundi-within-days-fleeing-rising-tension-and-violence-in-eastern-dr-congo/18 Feb 2025 20:38 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lii4jmf67k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lif3zdr3bc25Nearly 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. https://www.unhcr.ca/news/un-urges-global-action-to-protect-and-support-civilians-devastated-by-sudans-war/17 Feb 2025 15:51 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lif3zdr3bc25https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lh2oprsud224“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 https://www.unhcr.ca/news/how-a-montreal-church-and-a-refugee-advocate-built-a-model-of-inclusion/31 Jan 2025 19:01 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lh2oprsud224https://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lgiyh5f57s2j.@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. https://www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcrs-operations-responded-as-emergencies-intensified-in-2024/24 Jan 2025 18:07 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgiyh5f57s2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lgitmcpo7k2jThe 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. https://www.unhcr.ca/news/unhcr-gravely-concerned-by-worsening-violence-and-humanitarian-crisis-in-eastern-dr-congo/24 Jan 2025 16:41 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgitmcpo7k2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/levonsevunts.bsky.social/post/3lg6tmufbj22kEn 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. ❄️20 Jan 2025 17:14 +0000at://did:plc:wcwrtipe52i7qlxoicpefrad/app.bsky.feed.post/3lg6tmufbj22k