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Twenty-six Syrian refugees adjusting to life in Red Deer

Six Syrian refugee families quietly arrived in Red Deer with little fanfare over the last few weeks.

Six Syrian refugee families quietly arrived in Red Deer with little fanfare over the last few weeks.

Remza Mujezinovic, program supervisor for Catholic Social Services, Immigration and Settlement, said most families arrived last week.

She said staff worked day and night to meet the needs and immediate medication attention.

“We received six families, a total of 26 Syrian refugees,” said Mujezinovic. “And we are expecting more in the following days and months to come. Our four Arabic speaking settlement workers are very busy helping new Syrians to adjust to their new life in Canada.”

The next step for the agency is to find affordable housing and move them to permanent housing from temporary housing as soon as possible.

“Rents are very high and (Syrian refugee) shelter allowance is very limited,” she said. “In collaboration with (the City of Red Deer), we are looking for appropriate room which can accept larger number of people, possibly 40 to 60.”

She said volunteers are doing great job accepting donations from the community and sorting it.

Another concern is finding a family doctor and dentist who are willing to accept new patients given the large number of Syrians and refugees from other parts of the world, said Mujezinovic.

“We will also welcome any medical practitioner that speaks the Arabic language,” she said.

The federal government is working on a plan to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees.

“The city prepares to welcome those who will settle here and call Red Deer home,” according to the city website. “To assist with this transition, the following resources may be of service to those who are sponsoring Syrian refugees or are refugees themselves.”

To find out more visit www.reddeer.ca and search “refugee crisis.”

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com