We partnered with illustrator Paul Blow to tell the stories of people at various points along the Central Mediterranean Route across Mali, Niger, Libya and Italy.

"You can see the emotional impact of the explosion in every face," says IRC staff member Elias El Beam, who volunteered to help after the Beirut blast. "But you can also see hope."

In 2021, people opened their arms to refugees, families were reunited, and people uprooted by crisis demonstrated what they can accomplish when they are able to start their lives anew.

Thousands of people in Idlib, Syria, are living in dire conditions under constant threat of airstrikes. A Syrian health worker describes the trauma they are experiencing.

Thirteen-year-old Helena was abducted by her uncle at gunpoint in impoverished South Sudan. He sold her to another man so he could pay for his own wife, following a practice known as the “bride price.”  

An Iraqi family exemplifies the true spirit of the season and celebrates with the help of the IRC. “It is great to be home for the holidays." says Linda Abid Younis, who lives in Telskof, a town north of Mosul that was retaken from ISIS.

New GenR member Jenny Ma writes about how she got involved and her first Food Stories: From Burma to the Bay event.

The City of Turlock aims to provide a warm welcome to new refugee arrivals. On Refugee Civics Day, refugee clients and interpreters of the IRC are invited to engage in conversation about the city's inner workings and practical skills like how to dial 9-1-1. Refugee families who have fled war and persecution are made to feel safe for the first time in many years are they arrive on U.S. soil. Refugees from Afghanistan and Syria participated in the activities at Turlock City Hall and reflected on how far they had come since their initial resettlement and what they hope to achieve with their new chance at life.