After six years of war in Yemen, the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened a crisis that has left over half of the population hungry and nearly 4 million people internally displaced—all while the virus spreads at unprecedented levels.

Hear from artist, activist and refugee Diala Brisly on her story and her new illustration that embodies the statement, "Refugees are courageous."

Christine Shevchenko, a principal ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre, describes how the courage her family showed when fleeing her native Ukraine impacts her life and career today.

Thousands of refugees fleeing Syria and other conflict­-ridden countries are continuing to risk a dangerous sea journey to the Greek island of Lesbos in small boats, even as cold weather approaches.

  It takes great courage to open your heart and share your experience. That’s why this World Refugee Day (June 2021), we are celebrating immigrant and refugee artists who use their creativity to connect, heal and bring us together. In this video, Palestinian-born Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer Belly describes how he fell in love with poetry and music, and how his past has impacted his art.

When forced to flee their homes, refugees can only carry so much in their arms, but they bring so many intangible gifts to their new communities: hopes and dreams, experiences and talents, traditions and family stories, resilience and determination.

It’s time to speak out and #StandWithRefugees once again--it’s time to pick up your protest sign.

Ahlan Simsim reaches children and families wherever they are—from classrooms, health clinics, and learning centers to TVs and mobile devices—through programming integrating direct services for families with award-winning educational media, including a locally produced version of Sesame Street.