4. Immigrant Assistance Agencies

Government assisted refugees (GAR) are assisted upon arrival by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across Canada which provide settlement services for immigrants to Canada.

The NGOs across the country have been meeting weekly to coordinate their work with Afghan refugees. These NGOs provide all basic services to GAR and have been doing so for Afghan refugees since August.

This includes meeting the refugees on arrival, arranging quarantine locations (if still mandatory), housing, registration and paperwork (health number, SIN, PR card etc.), orientation to neighbourhoods, food, training in ESL, support in seeking employment, mental health support, etc.

• A very helpful explanation of these services is provided in this one-hour presentation by Chris Friesen, who is COO of the NGO providing these services in BC, the Immigration Services Society of BC (ISSBC):
• https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/nCvfQppCWjOqjaMR3Z_INeZrSOdusK4J4yQp6M1WP2y6MQFqN7UH7In4tysLUZuA.G7ZGOXKdW_Xes9Se   Access Passcode: $9iE3M9B

List of other settlement agencies across Canada:  Other-Settlement-Agencies.xlsx