When I think about what brought me to Asylum Access, it always comes back to the people I’ve met and my own lived experiences. My journey began in Lebanon—a country with a long history of regional conflict. From a young age, I saw how war and displacement tore families apart.
In 2006, my family was displaced from the south of Lebanon and Beirut to northern Lebanon when Israel bombed my hometown and many other cities and villages. A few years later, I too had to leave my country and seek safety through asylum. Today, the war is happening across the country. Right now, there is nowhere safe to go in Lebanon. My fellow Lebanese are once again being forced to flee their homes. Sadly, people around the world make the same heartbreaking choice every day.
Over the past decade, I’ve met countless refugees and displaced persons. Their stories of fleeing conflict, persecution, and disaster are painful, but their strength has shaped my commitment to this work. These individuals are not just numbers—they are people with rights, forced to leave everything behind to protect their families. No one should have to face this struggle for survival and dignity alone.
Today, as fear and distrust of foreign populations rise globally, refugees are at even greater risk, their lives and rights increasingly exposed to uncertainty. The scale of displacement today is staggering—more than 120 million people have been forcibly displaced. The human cost of conflict around the world is immense. These are real people whose stories echo my own and those I grew up hearing.
At Asylum Access, we believe that no matter where a person comes from, or what they’ve been through, they deserve to live with dignity. We work tirelessly to make refugee rights a reality, advocating for policies that protect those forced to flee and providing direct support in Mexico, Thailand, and Malaysia. Our team ensures that refugees can access legal protection, secure housing, and rebuild their futures.
But we can’t do this alone. Your support today will ensure that refugees can access their rights and rebuild their lives, wherever they find themselves. Every donation helps us continue providing essential legal services, advocacy, and education programs to uphold refugee rights.
As we look to 2025, I ask for your continued support in this mission. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing powerful stories of impact from the communities we serve and appealing to your generosity. Together, we can create a world where refugee rights are a global reality.
Thank you for standing with us and supporting refugees’ human rights.
With gratitude,
Interim Co-CEO, Asylum Access