As Canada prepares to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees by this February, community activist Balwant Sanghera has helped organize the local Sikh community in a concerted effort to provide money, food and living items for some of the country’s newest residents.
“This issue is very dear to us and our community feels if we can help the Syrian refugees in any way we can, we’ll consider ourselves very pleased,” said Sanghera.
The ad-hoc charitable campaign kicked off last weekend as leaders from the Sikh Societies of B.C. — a group of prominent Sikh temples across the province — coordinated what they would be able to provide.
Sanghera said the group plans to hand out 500 sleeping packages, consisting of new pillows and blankets, to refugees who arrive in B.C. As well, Sanghera hopes Sikhs can raise upwards of $20,000 and donate non-perishable food items.
He also hopes to collect children’s toys from the congregations.
Everything that is raised will be handed over to the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., said Sanghera.
He added that was incumbent upon Sikhs to give, considering their religion is partly based on the principle of sharing.
“It’s heartbreaking to see those families going from place to place and be rejected and denied basic services. Our heart goes out to the, and it’s too bad what goes on over there,” he said.
The vice-president of Richmond Multicultural Community Services drew parallels between the Sikh community and the incoming refugees.
“Of course, most of us are immigrants and when you come to a new country it’s a real struggle, even if you have family here. It’s a totally new place, and for them (Syrians) the weather will be a problem as they come from a warm country,” said Sanghera.
“Richmond is a caring community and it’s good to open our arms and welcome them,” he added.
Up to 3,000 Syrian refugees are expected to come to B.C. between now and February.
The Canadian government initially had plans to bring 25,000 Syrians into the country by the end of the year, however Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday more time is needed to hash out logistics.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada the federal government said it is working with the United Nations Refugee Agency to identify the most vulnerable.
Sanghera said he was pleased the plan would not be rushed, in order to provide for security.
It is estimated by the UN that there are four million Syrian refugees as a result of the civil war. Another 7.6 million have been internally displaced.
