September 4, 2015
Manitoba Commits to Helping Syrian Refugees
The Manitoba government will accept more Syrian refugee families and increase its contribution to local settlement services organizations by an additional $40,000 to help newcomers and their families, Premier Greg Selinger announced today, adding the province is requesting the federal government enable Manitoba to help play a larger role.
“Manitobans, like all Canadians, are deeply distressed by the tragedy of forced migration currently unfolding in the Middle East,” said Premier Selinger. “We are committed to helping to alleviate the suffering of these people as best we can.”
The premier added that Manitoba’s health care, education and social services will be there to support additional families that come to the province as refugees, just as it is there for all Manitobans.
According to the Red Cross, the ongoing civil war in Syria has left millions of people unable to provide for their family’s basic needs including food, water and health care.
The premier noted thousands of Syrians are fleeing their country on a daily basis and humanitarian assistance has now become a lifeline for millions of refugees.
“Syria’s civil war is widely regarded as one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times,” the premier added. “It would be irresponsible to turn our backs on the suffering of our fellow human beings. As a collective global community, we must do all that we can to try and facilitate a lasting peace.”
The premier noted there are currently four million Syrians registered or awaiting registration with the United Nations High Commission of Refugees.
The Red Cross is accepting public donations to assist Syrian refugees. More information is available online at www.redcross.ca.
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