British Columbians volunteer to help Afghan refugees upon arrival
Abdul Rahim Ahmed Parwani remembers coming to Canada as a refugee the last time the Taliban took over Afghanistan. Now, he’s putting his experiences to work helping a new wave of refugees.
“I see in them myself when I came to Canada with my family,” he told CTV News Vancouver.
Ahmed Parwani works with S.U.C.C.E.S.S, a non-profit group that helps immigrants and refugees as they settle in Canada. He is in Ontario right now, offering assistance to refugees arriving there.
He’s part of a team offering employment services such as resume-writing, job search tips and interview preparedness, as well as settlement services, including housing and special programs for seniors and young people.
Ahmed Parwani is one of six S.U.C.C.E.S.S. employees who volunteered to go to Ontario to be part of the refugee resettlement process and assist with translation.
“Really, it is to help those Afghan refugees get settled,” said Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
“To make sure, you know, they are well, because they have gone through so much mentally and physically and emotionally. We are committed to helping the most vulnerable, to empowering them in the Canadian journey to get settled, to create a sense of belonging.”
Ahmed Parwani is halfway through his two-week deployment.
“Having this opportunity, it’s a big honour to me,” he said. “(The refugees) are excited about being in Canada and besides that, they are worried about their country and their families left behind.”
Many people with Canadian passports remain in Afghanistan, having been unable to get on one of the rescue flights before the Aug. 31 American deadline to leave the country. Those who have managed to leave are worrying about relatives they had to leave behind.
“We have at least seven families who arrived (in B.C.) after passing two weeks of quarantine somewhere in Ontario,” said Hakim Nazem, of the Afghan Association of B.C.
“These families, they need basic essentials support for at least a couple of weeks until they settle somewhere in their own accommodations.”
Nazem said the first group arrived in B.C. about four days ago.
“They come with one piece of clothes and shoes probably and they have kids,” he said. “We’re doing our best to do two things at one time: help and support the newcomers and also try to bring as many refugees as we can.”
The 20,000 Afghan refugees Canada has promised to resettle is not a high enough number, said Nazem.
“20,000 for a country in crisis is nothing,” he told CTV News. “We will push them to make changes, to make the process easy and also to increase the number.”
He said the election came at the worst time, given the Afghan crisis, and he hopes the new Canadian government will make changes to the process.
“Our goal is to make the association a sponsorship holder and make an agreement with the government to bring in refugees, to sponsor some refugees,” said Nazem.
He said he also wants to see sponsorship done similarly to the way it was done during the Syrian refugee crisis, when private sponsorships by churches and mosques were approved.
“All these people, they are educated and they will come and be a part of the taxpayers and workforce and the future of this country,” said Nazem.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.