Redefining refugee support through economic inclusion and partnerships
by: Mohammad Popal, Strategic Operations Officer
As the global refugee crisis escalates, with projections indicating a staggering 120 million displaced individuals in 2024, the imperative for sustainable solutions to aid refugees in rebuilding their lives has never been more pressing. For me, this mission is deeply personal. As a former refugee, I arrived in Canada with little more than hope and uncertainty. Determined to support others on a similar journey, I joined Aman Lara to provide emotional, psychological, and practical support as refugees adapt to new cultural environments.
My journey—from being a refugee to working with refugees—has shown me firsthand that, with the proper support, those fleeing conflict can move from mere survival to thriving in their new countries. This is what fuels my commitment to Aman Lara’s mission.
Since its inception, Aman Lara has been acutely aware of this urgency and has committed to forging enduring, sustainable pathways for refugees seeking safety and opportunity in Canada. Our approach centers on empowering refugees, providing the tools and support needed to help them rebuild their lives and fully integrate into their new communities. By fostering self-sufficiency, Aman Lara is redefining refugee support to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Redefining refugee resettlement:
A renewed approach to economic empowerment
Aman Lara’s evolving strategy emphasizes shifting the refugee resettlement /settlement paradigm beyond conventional humanitarian aid to one that prioritizes personal agency, self-sufficiency, and economic inclusion. By challenging the outdated notion that refugees burden host communities, we aim to showcase their role as essential contributors to the economy. In Canada, refugees bring valuable skills and talent that fuel job creation and growth.
Our commitment to unlocking this potential is exemplified through partnerships with organizations like Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) and Canada’s Building Trade Unions. Together, we are providing recently resettled refugees with meaningful employment opportunities in skilled trades. These efforts enhance Canada’s workforce diversification and support refugees in building new lives, promoting integration, economic participation, and long-term stability.
In addition to this partnership, we’re collaborating with EdTek to provide refugees (in Canada and abroad) access to education and training in areas such as Administrative Skills, Career Development, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, Information Technology, and Microsoft Office. By equipping refugees with the skills needed to succeed, we are helping expand their career prospects and thrive in various occupations and industries. These efforts underscore our commitment to ensuring refugees have access to pathways for economic empowerment that reflect the evolving job market, further enhancing their contributions to Canada’s economy and society.
Building on our foundational work of providing safe passage for at-risk Afghans, Aman Lara is also expanding efforts to create sustainable paths to economic empowerment through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). Horizon Hope, our EMPP initiative, helps Canadian employers access a pool of highly skilled Afghan refugee candidates, offering them a chance to rebuild their careers and lives. Horizon Hope is poised to make a transformative impact, helping thousands of vulnerable individuals find stability and purpose in Canada.
Through these initiatives, Aman Lara is demonstrating that when refugees are empowered with the tools and resources for economic inclusion, they become self-reliant, contribute to the prosperity of their communities, and enrich Canadian society as a whole.
A path forward
As we move forward, Aman Lara remains committed to expanding its impact by seeing migrants and refugees first and foremost as individuals with agency, identity, and dignity. This fundamental belief drives our efforts to go beyond immediate relief and empower those we serve to rebuild their lives with purpose and autonomy.
With the invaluable support of our partners, we are committed to continuing this mission — focusing on long-term solutions that honour the humanity of every individual. Together, we are shaping a future where safety, dignity, and economic opportunity are not just possibilities but realities for all refugees.
