Windsor has welcomed hundreds more refugees this year

 

Windsor is expected to accommodate 900 refugees this year, about four times more than in most years.

“Last year, a regular year, we received approximately 250 people,” said Marcela Diaz with the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County. “This year in about ten days, we received the same number of people that we received in one year.”

Windsor is one of the six cities in Ontario that expected to receive newcomers. About 70 organizations, including the City of Windsor, settlement agencies and health organizations have united to provide help.

“This is a historic year for Windsor,” said Diaz. “When such a large number of people are coming to the community, the community needs to be prepared and organized.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to support people affected by humanitarian crises around the world. Canada is one of a few countries resettling refugees.

“Canada brings in 250,000 immigrants every year,” said Diaz. “Of those, approximately 10 per cent are refugees.”

Diaz said Canada planned to receive 25,000 people from Nov. 4 to the end of February 2017. Now the commitment has been updated to receive another 25,000 people. In total, 50,000 refugees are expected nation-wide.

“It means more work for us, but the staff here are passionate about helping and working with refugees,” said Diaz.

Newcomers came from many different countries, but more than 85 per cent came from Syria.

Some programs are available to help them adapt to this society, including the New Settlement Program. It provides services like one-on-one settlement, orientation assistance and helping filling out forms and applications.

“It feels incredible to help people find hope,” said Diaz. “We have been very proud to participate in this.”

Yousef Alabdulla and his family came from Lebanon. They have been in Canada for more than a month. He said people in Canada helped them with everything.

“People are very nice,” said Alabdulla “They are welcoming and respectful.”

Both the federal government and private individuals have sponsored the funds needed by the organizations to provide assistance.

Diaz said even with such a large number of people the council is not short of supplies.

“We have received enhanced funding from the Province of Ontario and the Red Cross has also provided us with funding.”