Concerns are being raised about immigration delays when it comes to helping bring a Syrian refugee family to Petawawa.
Local resident Jennifer Neville who has the signing authority for the Jokhadar family has written to Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant expressing concerns over the immigration process.
Neville says she supports refugees coming to Canada from all over the world, but adds allowing an unlimited number of applications from Ukraine citizens will push back the process for many others including the Jokhadar family.
Neville says the Canadian Lutheran World Relief, which is the main Sponsorship Agreement Holder for this Syrian refugee family, still doesn’t know how many refugees they can take on this year.
Neville says the brother of one of the refugees was gunned down last month in Syria and leaves behind six children.
She says the Jokhadar Family is currently living in a tin hut in the desert, they’re not wanted by Jordan, not able to go back to Syria and continue to wait.
She also encourages others to write to their Member of Parliament (MP) to express concerns about the immigration process.
A fundraising campaign kicked off at the end of 2021 to help bring the Jokhadar family to Petawawa.
Neville says $31,000 of the $36,000 has been raised and the money would help the family of four live for one year.
She adds the family of four is currently living on $31 (US) a month for food.
Neville says donations to support the Syrian refugee family in their efforts to come to Petawawa can be sent to petawawarefugees@gmail.com
The St. John’s Lutheran Church in Petawawa will issue tax receipts for your generous donations.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
PREVIOUS STORY:
Fundraising underway to help bring Syrian refugee family to Petawawa
