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Influx of refugees to Saint John leads to call for volunteers

A large numbers of refugee families have arrived in Saint John and the YMCA's Newcomer Connections program is looking for volunteers to help.

According to William Tarr, community volunteer liaison with the program, 39 families from six different countries have landed since Jan. 1.

They need help with the basics, like opening a bank account and shopping for groceries.

"Normally our quota from the government, through Citizenship and Immigration Canada is 65 a year," he said.

"It's above the mid-point of our quota already."

People have arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Syria and Iraq.

They all come to Canada via refugee camps and have been certified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The influx means Tarr's organization needs help.

The Newcomer Connection program administers the federal government's resettlement assistance program.

"In the past we received families every other week, so our team was really prepared, with the support of the community and our volunteers, but receiving three families now a week is a big burden on us, a big load for us to carry."

More volunteers are needed, to greet families when they arrive at the Saint John airport, and help them navigate life in an unfamiliar place.

"They are tired from their long travel, there is change of diet, they don't know what to buy to eat, and then just going through the government system to get the medicare, social insurance number, opening a bank account, it's all a challenge for them," said Tarr.

The Newcomer Connection program is also seeking donations of household items and furniture.

Refugees receive a small allowance from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, but it is often not enough to furnish a home.

Aside from help navigating the bureaucracy and finding furnishings, Tarr said companionship is important to making people feel welcome in Saint John.

"Some of them just want to explain their story, they're looking for somebody to talk to. Some of them want to go for a walk, there is no laid down structure about what you should do. The volunteer just has to meet the person and you can start from there."