Unhcr Refugee Laraman And Ibrahim Hero

Our Stories

Lebanon_displaced-by-hostilities
© UNHCR/Magnum Photos/Emin Ozmen
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Middle East

Middle East crisis: How you’re helping families forced to flee

With your support, classrooms are reopening in Sudan’s White Nile State, helping children return to school and start rebuilding their futures.

NOURI stands facing the camera wearing a black singlet top
© Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR/Ben Rowsell
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New Zealand

NOURI: Using her voice to represent refugees

Born in a refugee camp after her family fled conflict in Kurdistan, international singer and songwriter NOURI uses music to inspire others – especially people forced to flee their homes. 

The 2025 winners of the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Awards attend the ceremony in Switzerland.
© UNHCR/Anne-Laure Lechat
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Worldwide

2025 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Awards: Celebrating humanitarian leadership

A Cameroonian village chief is among those honoured for outstanding courage and compassion for refugees.

A UNHCR staff member speaks with Larysa outside her home in central Ukraine, where UNHCR supported repairs to improve living conditions for displaced families.
© UNHCR/Dmytro Babenko
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Ukraine

Four years of full-scale war in Ukraine

How Australian support is helping Ukrainians stay safe and warm through another winter at war

Madiha Ali fled Pakistan and now lives in New Zealand, where she is a human rights lawyer.
© Australia for UNHCR
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New Zealand

From refugee to lawyer: Madiha’s journey to New Zealand

Madiha’s story is one of resilience and a deep commitment to giving back to her community.

Arash, 7, is a student learning English at the Youth Centre in Bamyan, Afghanistan.
© UNHCR/Oxygen Empire Media Production
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Worldwide

Our top five moments of 2025

We hope you enjoy this collection of stories celebrating the incredible difference former refugees and New Zealanders are making across Aotearoa and beyond.

Jordan. Enduring winter in the refugee camps.
© UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
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Middle East, Afghanistan and Ukraine

What warmth means to refugees

Three powerful stories to illustrate how you’re helping vulnerable families face winter with safety, dignity and hope. 

Timothy Mahood
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New Zealand

“It’s the right thing to do”: A conversation with Tim Mahood

The Chair of Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR reflects on why supporting refugees matters to Kiwis

Fundraising Commitment

Our fundraising impact

The majority of funds raised by Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.

72%
Humanitarian programs
15%
Admin
13%
Fundraising