Kamloops organizations planning for arrival of Ukrainian refugees

Kamloops Immigrant Services is hosting a meeting with various groups at its Tranquille Road headquarters on Thursday, March 31.

The meeting will address the potential influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war-torn country since Russia invaded in late February.

Immigrant services and the various groups will discuss how they may best pull resources together and find ways to co-ordinate efforts to assist the refugees.  

Immigrant services executive director France Lamontagne said the organization is expecting close to 20 attendees — half attending in person and half by video.

Among those expected to be in attendance are Kamloops MLAs Peter Milobar and Todd Stone, MP Frank Caputo and representatives of School District 73, Interior Health, Kamloops Food Policy Council, ASK Wellness Society, City of Kamloops, the city’s two Ukrainian churches, Sim’ya Ukrainian Society, United Church, Refugees and Friends Together and TRU World.

“Many people are contacting each of our respective organizations offering their help,” Lamontagne said via email.

Lamontagne said Ukrainian refugees are already making their way to Kamloops, with the first two — a mother and daughter — having arrived earlier this month. The pair has helped KIS conduct a needs assessment for Ukrainian refugees, Lamontagne said.

Thursday’s roundtable will examine community resources and capacity to welcome and aid Ukrainian nationals who are fleeing the country and set to arrive in Kamloops and the surrounding area, she said, noting a need to remove barriers and address needs.

Lamontagne said the group will discuss lodging, housing, furnishings, clothing, food, financial support, access to programs, school registration, access to health and mental-health services, transportation, recreation, job applications, child-care support, interpretation/translation, how to vet housing options and clarification on residency status.

More than 3.3-million refugees have fled into neighbouring countries since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24.

Canada is accepting Ukrainian refugees and recently created a new Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel visa program, enabling refugees to stay and work in Canada for up to three years.

— This story was originally published by Kamloops This Week.