Volunteers call on more government help for integrating Syrian refugees

Syrian refugees attend a workshop on integrating into Canada held by the Canadian Alliance for Syrian Aid in Montreal on March 6, 2016.

Volunteers who work with Syrian refugees say the government needs to be doing more to help the new arrivals start their lives over in Montreal.

At a workshop held by the Canadian Alliance for Syrian Aid on Sunday, refugees were taught about things like how the banking system works in their new country and how to access healthcare.

“They’re terrified, they are changing their culture, they don’t speak the language,” said CASA President Ayman Chamma. “They don’t know how to integrate.”

Volunteer groups like CASA rely on donations, but Chamma said that it’s not enough.

“Unfortunately, so far none of the government has contacted us,” he said. “At least sit down with us and discuss with us what we can do on both sides to help each other.”

But volunteers say regardless of funding, they feel a compulsion to help.

“I feel that I have a responsibility to all those people,” said volunteer Lina Abdullah. “My friends, anybody that needs me, I am here to help.”

Refugee Iyad Yaziji was a computer programmer in Syria and his wife was an electrical engineer. He said that while he is grateful to come to Canada, starting over is a challenge and the work of people like Abdullah is greatly appreciated.

“She’s outstanding,” he said. “She helped us come here and she’s helping us live here and probably saved our family’s lives.”

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the city does have money set aside for such initiatives and if CASA needs funds, “They should call us.”