REFUGEE INTAKE
HITS SNAG IN B.C.
The intake of government-assisted Syrian refugees has hit a snag in B.C. as Metro Vancouver’s temporary housing units have reached capacity.
Over the past couple of months, the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. (ISS of BC) has helped hundreds of Syrians, with more landing at Vancouver airport every day.
There were no arrivals Tuesday, however. The agency was forced to pause the resettlement program for the first time since its Nov. 4 launch. The pause is expected to last until Friday.
“Because of such a large influx and setting up all of these (temporary) sites, we have a bit of a bottleneck,” said Chris Friesen, director of settlement services.
The agency is housing 673 Syrian refugees at six sites across metro, with a seventh site opening Friday, when 19 families are expected to arrive.
Saleem Spindari of the immigrant settlement agency MOSAIC, was surprised to hear about the snag since his agency has had no issue settling privately-sponsored refugees. But with ISS of BC the only group settling government-assisted refugees, MOSAIC is unable to help with the shortage.
“(We’ve) been advocating to have more than one agency to resettle government-assisted refugees,” Spindari said. “It’s always a problem for refugees to stay longer in refugee camps. They are going through terrible times and the sooner they come here the better.”
Friesen said it’s not that easy because ISS of BC has established protocols with the government and standards for the temporary sites, which are commercial hotels with kitchenettes, as well as a dedicated ISS of BC office.
“The issue is that they can’t move into permanent accommodation until ... they’ve completed their orientation, various government applications have been completed, they have their startup allowance and cheque, as well as have opened a bank account,” he said, adding this process typically takes about two weeks.
Nisreen Albreidy, a 27-year-old single mom, is going through that process. She arrived with her seven-year-old son last week and was at the Drake Street Welcome House for her “orientation to Canada” Tuesday. She came “for everything — for education, for safety,” she said through a translator.
“My son’s psychological condition in Jordan was very bad,” she said, adding he developed a stutter after fleeing the bombings in Syria and then got bullied when they resettled in Jordan.
ISS of BC is asking the public for leads on affordable rentals fit for large families.
“Because of such a large influx and setting up all these (temporary) sites, we have a bit of a bottleneck.” — Chris Friesen