Syrian Refugee Crisis - Ways To Make A Difference
Posted by Paul Esslinger
on Dec 01, 2015
Syrian Refugee Crisis – How can you make a difference?
The Syrian Civil War has generated the largest refugee crisis in decades. Since 2011, when the conflict began, over four million people have fled Syria. An additional eight million people have been displaced within the country. Based on the most recently communicated information, 25,000 Syrian refugees will be admitted to Canada by February 28, 2016, with 10,000 arriving prior to December 31, 2015. Of the latter refugees, about 8,000 will be Privately Sponsored Refugees and about 2,000 will be Government Assisted Refugees.
Businesses, organizations and residents are inquiring as to how they can welcome the refugees to the community and assist them in their settlement and integration. The Welcoming and Inclusive New Westminster (WINS) Local Immigration Partnership Council, which comprises business, community, faith, settlement and social service organizations, recently held a meeting related to Syrian refugee resettlement. Based on this meeting, WINS is providing the following information to assist those who want to make a difference.
Inquiries related to Accommodation and Volunteering
The Immigrant Services Society of BC has established a registry where those wanting to make a contribution can sign-up to provide accommodation and employment or volunteer their time. Please see the below link.
Inquiries related to Private Refugee Sponsorships
Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides information related to sponsoring refugees. As a sponsor, you would provide financial and emotional support for the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship, which is typically one year. This includes housing, clothing and food. Please see the below link:
MOSAIC is playing a key role with regard to facilitating Private Refugee Sponsorships. To access information about being a sponsor or to attend an information session, please see the below link:
Inquiries related to Making a Donation
The Welcoming and Inclusive New Westminster (WINS) Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Council has established an account to hold cash donations to help support the settlement of Syrian refugees in New Westminster. The Lower Mainland Purpose Society, as host agency for the LIP initiative, is designated to hold the funds. Use and distribution of the funds will be overseen by a sub-committee of the LIP Council.
To make a donation and to receive a tax receipt, the following methods are available.
By Cheque: Payable to the ‘Lower Mainland Purpose Society,’ plus indicate ‘LIP Refugee Fund.’ Cheques can be dropped off at:
Lower Mainland Purpose Society, 40 Begbie Street, New Westminster, BC, V3M, 3L9.
By Credit Card:
Telephone the Lower Mainland Purpose Society at 604-526-2522.
In Person:
Drop by the Lower Mainland Purpose Society, 40 Begbie Street, New Westminster.
Don’t forget your return address for a tax receipt and indicate that your donation is for the ‘Lip Refugee Fund.’
Inquiries related to Donating Products and Services at No or Low Cost
MLA Judy Darcy’s Constituency Office has established a registry where businesses and organizations can offer products and services to assist in Syrian refugee resettlement in New Westminster – e.g., dental services, grocery gift cards, etc. Please see below contact information:
Community Office, 737 Sixth Street, New Westminster, V3L 3C6, 604-775-2101, Judy.Darcy.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Inquiries related to Donating Clothing and Household Items
Discussions are underway with the New Westminster Inter-Ministerial Association and Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar (Sikh Temple) with regard to establishing reception sites for the donation of new or good condition clothing and households items. These reception sites will not be operational until there is a better idea as to refugee numbers, age, gender and family composition. In this way, donations can be targeted to the needs of refugees. This information will be available on the City’s website and WINS member websites.
Inquiries related to Food and Meal Programs
Discussions will soon commence with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, which operates a food bank in New Westminster, and the Muslim Food Bank. These discussions will help ensure that Syrian refugees who are in need of food security programs can access culturally appropriate food. In the meantime, those wanting to make a contribution can purchase a food bank voucher at their local grocery store, in which the proceeds will be used in New Westminster, or make a donation of food or money to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the Muslim Food Bank. This will not only benefit Syrian refugees but residents with low-incomes or living in poverty. Please see the below links: