Canada Celebrates Arrival of 15,000th Afghan Refugee

June 10, 2022—Ottawa, Ontario – In a significant humanitarian achievement, Canada has welcomed its 15,000th Afghan refugee since August 2021. As of today, 15,475 vulnerable Afghans have found refuge in Canada. The most recent group of newcomers arrived in Toronto, Ontario, on June 8, aboard a charter flight carrying approximately 300 Afghan nationals. This is part of Canada's privately sponsored refugee program.

Welcoming refugees is a cornerstone of Canada’s humanitarian ethos, reflecting our unwavering commitment to offer protection to displaced and persecuted individuals, including those fleeing the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.

A Comprehensive Initiative

The ambitious goal of resettling at least 40,000 Afghan nationals necessitates a coordinated, multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders:

• Government Collaboration: The initiative involves collaboration among federal, provincial, and territorial governments, alongside service providers and sponsorship agreement holders.
• Community Support: The generosity of Canadians and newcomers plays a pivotal role in achieving this target.
• International Partnerships: Canada liaises with global partners to ensure safe passage for individuals remaining in Afghanistan and provides robust support for their resettlement across Canadian communities.

Key Milestones and Programs

Canada has employed several programs and partnerships to reach this pivotal milestone:

• Special Immigration Measures Program: This initiative has facilitated the arrival of 6,985 Afghans and their families who supported Canada during its military mission.
• Humanitarian Efforts: Canada has also resettled 8,490 Afghan nationals, including women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted minorities, LGBTQ2 individuals, and those who assisted Canadian journalists.
• International Transport Collaboration: Partnerships with the International Organization for Migration are crucial in arranging transportation from third countries to Canada, organizing both charter and commercial flights.

Resettlement Assistance

The Resettlement Assistance Program, managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, provides critical services to refugees, ensuring their successful integration into Canadian society. This includes:

• Temporary accommodations and assistance in finding permanent housing.
• Referrals to settlement services, such as job search support and language training, to help newcomers adapt and thrive.

Community Generosity

The initiative has seen overwhelming community support, with Canadians donating more than $1.2 million in cash and over $370,000 in in-kind contributions. The National Afghan Steering Committee, led by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, coordinates these generous donations.

Get Involved

Canadians eager to support Afghan newcomers can do so by volunteering, donating, sponsoring, or engaging in broader resettlement efforts. For more information on how to help, resources are available for those interested in contributing to this noble cause.

Together, these efforts are making a tangible difference in the lives of Afghan families, offering them hope and a chance to rebuild their lives in safety. For media coverage, photos of recent arrivals are accessible via Dropbox. Progress on Canada's Afghan refugee resettlement can be monitored online.