Artist Zeqirja Rexhepi was forced to leave his home in the province of Kosovo in 1999. Following a rise in tensions, negotiations broke down between the native Albanian Kosovar population and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When diplomatic efforts failed, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia responded by beginning a campaign to ethnically cleanse Kosovo of its Albanian population – this was met with NATO air operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. 
 

The conflict resulted in a refugee crisis, with nearly a million people fleeing to neighbouring countries. Zeqirja, a native Albanian, was brought to Canada along with about 5,000 other Kosovars as part of Canada’s response to resettling some of the refugees. The Canadian Forces called it Operation Parasol. 
 

The refugees were equally split between Nova Scotia’s CFB Greenwood and Ontario’s CFB Trenton. The Canadian military flew refugees directly to Canada and processed them there, which meant they did not have to wait months or even years to arrive. 
 

The Canadian Red Cross was on the ground to help, welcome and comfort arriving refugees, providing food, clothing, hygiene products and other essential items as well as providing emotional support. Around 1,000 Red Cross volunteers worked around the clock to assist with the operation. 
 

Ishmael Aquino was the manager of community response with the Canadian Red Cross during the response, he said refugees, “would be tired and hungry… Our Red Cross workers were prepared to assist them and help them through the process.” 
 

Rexhepi’s painting reflects his experience leaving Kosovo as a refugee, and the role that the Canadian Red Cross played in welcoming him to Canada.