BBC journalist in emotional reunion with family she met in Syria while reporting on picnic for refugees in Toronto
Lyse Doucet was visibly moved by the surprise reunion
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In moving footage, a BBC correspondent has been filmed accidentally being reunited with a Syrian refugee family she had not seen since they fled Syria.
Lyse Doucet, the corporation's veteran Chief International Correspondent, spotted the family while reporting at a picnic for Syrian refugees in Toronto, Canada. Doucet had not spoken to the Sabbagh family since meeting them in the Syrian capital in 2014 when she was reporting on the civil war which has ravaged the nation for five years.
In a clip of the reunion which was broadcast on BBC World News, Doucet runs up to a woman and embraces her. She then greets the children and welcomes them to Canada, lifting a little boy into her arms.
In 2014, Doucet visited the family at the home where 11-year-old Daad told her she was suffering from nightmares, living in fear and was scared of the future after witnessing so much horror and destruction in her country. Now, showing Doucet her new bedroom, she says she leads a happy life and no longer has the nightmares.
Canada has welcomed over 30,000 refugees in the last year alone and at the beginning of the year, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, personally greeted refugee children arriving at Toronto Pearson airport.
By contrast, last year David Cameron pledged the UK would take in 20,000 Syrian refugees over a five-year-period. Over the weekend, thousands of British protesters marched on Downing Street to demand the UK takes in more as thousands of desperate refugees continue to die making the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments