Naramata and Summerland refugee groups coordinate efforts with MP Cannings

PENTICTON – Two refugee support groups in the South Okanagan are going to work together with help from local MP Dick Cannings.

Representatives from the Naramata Syrian Refugee Initiative and the Summerland Refugee Group meet with the South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP this week to discuss refugee issues in the two communities, according to a media release.

Laura Gray with the Refugee Initiative says they want to work together to support common efforts with regard to immigrating Syrian refugees.

“Although Naramata has an offer of accommodation given by the Naramata Centre Board, with unknown and indefinite arrival details, this offer may become more time sensitive," Gray says in the release. "We hope to proactively clarify the process of application made and what to expect in terms of allocation of refugees to rural areas.” 

Cannings has offered his assistance in clarifying the process, she says.

Gray says patience is necessary for those wishing to to see Syrian refugees make the area home, noting many people are working on many levels as they “wait and see what decision is made for rural B.C.”

The Naramata Syrian Refugee Initiative has a website for those looking for updates updates.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.