This past January, Lower Mainland and Vancouver-based church and community groups had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the realities faced by individuals and families who are forcibly displaced due to conflict, climate events like flooding, or natural disasters such as earthquakes.
Over four days, Foodgrains Bank staff simulated Forced to Flee events for over 85 participants. Dena Nicolai, who participated in the event at Tenth Avenue Alliance Church on January 23, has experience working with refugees who have settled in Canada, as well as with Canadians who are sponsoring refugees to move here.
Dena’s interest in accessing helpful resources for churches and schools she works with motivated her to participate – especially finding resources that allow Canadians to enter into the experiences of refugees without being exploitative.
It was a poignant reminder of the difficult choices people fleeing their homes need to make, says Dena.
“People experiencing forced displacement have to make unimaginable choices that affect the entire course of their lives, and have to do so in the midst of hunger, disease, violence, exploitation, and dehumanization.
“What encouraged me during this activity was the thoughtful engagement of my group members, who tried carefully and deeply to enter into an experience so different than their own, as well as the way in which the facilitators led us through the activity (and the discussion afterwards). To me, that was so honouring and respectful of the stories of people who have experienced forced displacement.”
Interested in participating in a Forced to Flee event with your family, community group, church, or school? Visit foodgrainsbank.ca/f2f to access the right resource for you.
This story was originally published in the 2025 spring edition of Breaking Bread.
