Ukranian refugees overwhelmed by challenges

Steven Wilhelm,  Submitted

Publishing date:Aug 17, 2022  

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Fleeing their war-torn home country, Ukrainian families are still facing challenges in the safety of Canada’s boarders.

According to Fleeha Ahmad, a program coordinator and settlement counsellor with Rocky View Immigrant Services, some of the biggest problems facing Ukrainian refugees right now are housing availability and obtaining important documents like SIN numbers and Alberta Health cards.

Ahmad helps families with documentation, food bank access, English classes, and finding homes around Airdrie, Chestermere and Cochrane; to date she has helped over 80 families in the area.

“There’s an extreme amount of generosity, especially from community members,” said Ahmad, “There are many volunteers and support agencies trying to figure out how best to accommodate these families.”

Kevin Shier, president of the Rotary Club of Cochrane, spoke about how the club wanted to find a way to support Ukraine since conflict began in February, which they had the chance to dowith a donation of $5000.

The $5000 is going towards bus passes, available immediately to Ukrainian families.

Ukrainians are not entering the country under a regular refugee visa. The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) is a measure put in place by the federal government to allow Ukrainians to work, study, and stay in Canada until it is safe to return home.

The federal government is also providing financial aid to Ukrainians entering the country in the form of a one-time payment of $3000 per adult (18 and older) and $1500 per child (17 and under).