New Canadians Centre Continue To Monitor Ukraine Crisis And Potential Refugees Says Peterborough Residents Are Already Offering To Help

The New Canadians Centre (NCC) is monitoring the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and ready to accept refugees when Canada announces initiatives.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Kaczmarczyk says the Canadian government is currently focusing more on getting Ukrainians to Canada on a temporary, short-term basis.

According to a government press release, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has created the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, available to individuals fleeing Ukraine. There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can apply. This is the fastest, safest, and most efficient way for Ukrainians to come to Canada and eliminates many of the normal visa requirements, according to the release.

“For us, our staff will likely help local folks who maybe have family members in Ukraine navigate those applications,” said Marisa Kaczmarczyk, director of client services at the NCC Peterborough agency. “Some of these applications can be confusing, they may need someone to hep them walk through the process.”

Currently, Canada is focusing on Ukrainians already located in Canada. For example, Kaczmarczyk says an international student that may have to return to Ukraine soon because of a soon-to-be expired visa will be given the opportunity to stay past the expiration of their visa.

Kaczmarczyk says the NCC is already getting phone calls from Peterborough residents wondering what they can do to help.

“People have offered their time, spaces in their house, they’re ready to house a refugee,” she says. “At the moment because there isn’t a refugee program there is not a need for that - yet.”

She says anyone that calls is being put on a list and will be contacted when applicable.

The NCC is also directing people to established organizations that are accepting donations and providing help directly on the ground in Ukraine.

Donations directed to the Red Cross will be matched by the Canadian government until March 18. The NCC also suggests donating to UNICEF, which is helping children affected.

NCC continues to support refugees from around the world and have an ongoing need for refugee support team members. Those interested in helping can sign up here.

The crisis in Ukraine is ongoing, and ever changing. The NCC will continue to update the public as new information arises.

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