Lamp Lifeboat Ladder is one of our firm’s signature pro bono programs. The global initiative supports survivors of war, torture, and sexual violence in rebuilding their lives. It is a longitudinal program that provides protection to survivors from point of flight to point of self-reliance in a safe country. We support survivors in the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
In September 2019, the Canadian government enacted two special public policies authorizing the resettlement of 90 survivors of torture and/or sexual gender-based violence from Greece and Jordan to Canada. Recognizing our expertise in working with survivors, Canada named our firm as the lead implementing partner of this program.
We teamed up with the Canadian Center for Victims of Torture, the World Refugee & Migration Council, and dozens of other non-governmental organizations to bring the Canada program to life.
Since its inception, Lamp Lifeboat Ladder has submitted 16 resettlement cases for survivors and their family members. Canada has approved every case, thereby enabling 42 people a chance to heal and rebuild their lives. We are developing resettlement cases for dozens more survivors in Europe and the Middle East.
As well as developing resettlement cases, Lamp Lifeboat Ladder works directly with survivors to identify their needs and coordinate support, including medical and psychological care, housing, access to education, psychosocial support, vocational training, and other services.
Lamp Lifeboat Ladder is survivor-led and survivor-centered. Survivors define, guide, and lead the program through a Survivor’s Council and special programs for women and youth.
The Jordan-Greece-Canada program is privately funded. Thus, Lamp Lifeboat Ladder is leveraging investments and donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations to help survivors who have moved to Canada to rebuild their lives. The team has raised more than $1 million to date.
Many organizations have recognized our firm for its cutting-edge work to protect survivors in flight, including the American Bar Association, National Law Journal, Financial Times, Legal Week, American Lawyer, and others.
Read more about Lamp Lifeboat Ladder.
