Celebrate International Human Rights Day by Welcoming Afghans to Lloydminster
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Celebrate International Human Rights Day by Welcoming Afghans to Lloydminster
Today, in Lloydminster, we celebrate International Human Rights Day with a Refugees Welcome Here campaign.
The principles of equity and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights and at the heart of this campaign. The Lloydminster Local Immigration Partnership is a member of the steering committing coordinating the province-wide Refugees Welcome Here campaign. “We want Lloydminster residents to know that the Afghan people arriving in Alberta and Saskatchewan and eventually to Lloydminster have a lot to contribute to the community,” says Kemoh Mansaray, the Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator. Alberta and Saskatchewan has a reputation as a friendly, hospitable communities. “We are inviting everyone to get involved in this campaign by actively welcoming our new Afghan neighbours”.
Calgary has been chosen as the second national port of entry for Afghan refugees coming to Canada, with about 5,000 transiting through Calgary over the coming months. Some of the new arrivals will stay in Calgary while most will resettle in other communities like Lloydminster and other parts of Western Canada. Communities across Alberta are participating in the Refugees Welcome Here campaign. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates there are 2.2 million Afghan refugees living in neighbouring countries with another 2.9 million internally displaced. Canada has pledged to resettle 40,000 Afghans.
We are working with a broad coalition of immigrant-serving agencies including Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, Centre for Newcomers, Immigrant Services Calgary, The Immigrant Education Society, ActionDignity, members of the local Afghan community, and many other not-for-profit groups to support the coordination of resources needed to ensure a safe transition for the Afghan families arriving in Calgary.
Lloydminster as a border city would sure be one of the destinations for newcomers especially as secondary migration. “There are many ways that you can help our most recent arrivals but the most important thing you can do is to be kind and welcoming to our new Afghan neighbours.”
Lloydminster has the people, the resources, the spirit and the energy that attracts people from all over the world. Learn how you can help by visiting www.calgarylip.ca/refugeeswelcomehere