Reflecting on 2024: A year of purpose, partnerships, and progress
by: Jon Feltham
Dear Friends, Season’s Greetings from Aman Lara,
As 2024 comes to a close, I reflect on the incredible progress, resilience, and hope that defined this year for Aman Lara. The past twelve months have highlighted the strength of collaboration, the power of advocacy, and the enduring resilience of those we serve. While challenges persisted, this year marked significant strides toward creating a more inclusive, supportive, and empowering future for refugees and displaced individuals.
Strengthening partnerships, amplifying impact
Over the last year, we forged new partnerships with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen, and ThriveOn while continuing impactful collaborations with partners like Rainbow Railroad, Canadian Connections, The Shapiro Foundation, Edtek Services, and Helmets to Hardhats.
These partnerships enabled us to expand opportunities for the people we serve, laying the groundwork to launch initiatives like Horizon Hope, our Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). Through Horizon Hope, we create sustainable pathways to economic empowerment by helping Canadian employers access a pool of highly skilled Afghan refugee candidates.
Advocacy at the forefront
Advocacy remained at the heart of our work. From the Spring Metropolis Conference in Montreal to the recent Conference Board of Canada’s Immigration Summit in Ottawa, our participation in these crucial discussions ensured that the voices of displaced populations remain at the forefront of global and national priorities.
These platforms also allowed us to bring our expertise and insights into conversations on inclusion, retention, and the vital role of immigration in enriching global and local communities.
A tribute to our team
In this year of constant change, the unwavering dedication of our volunteers, staff, and Board of Directors was pivotal to fulfilling our mission. Their tireless efforts — often at great personal sacrifice — are the backbone of Aman Lara’s impact and enabled us to provide safe passage for countless at-risk Afghans.
Despite the worsening situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, we facilitated the movement of 647 clients to safety and celebrated the arrival of 963 individuals in Canada in 2024. These accomplishments are part of our broader impact, which has resulted in the evacuation of 7,070 individuals to date, with 5,718 now safely resettled in Canada since our inception in 2021.
These numbers reflect our commitment to those who stood by Canada. With your partnership, we can continue building on this success and creating new opportunities for Afghans seeking safety, stability, and a new start.
Looking ahead to 2025
The road ahead is as ambitious as it is necessary. The challenges we face demand continued innovation, collaboration, and compassion. But they also hold the promise of transformation — for individuals, communities, and the world.
In 2025, we aim to expand our focus on supporting women, girls, and marginalized populations from Afghanistan, both those displaced within and beyond its borders, many of whom face unimaginable challenges under Taliban rule.
We remain steadfast in advocating for the Government of Canada to uphold its moral obligations, ensuring that those with enduring relationships to Canada during its long engagement in Afghanistan are not left behind.
To our partners, supporters, volunteers, and staff, thank you for believing in our mission and walking this path with us. Your dedication and determination inspire us daily and remind us why this work matters. We have made remarkable progress and look forward to an even brighter future.
From all of us at Aman Lara, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
Here’s to building a future where no one is left behind.
Jon Feltham
Executive Director, Aman Lara
