For many refugees fleeing Afghanistan, leaving the country last year was a matter of life and death.
"When I moved from Kabul to the airport, the airport was surrounded by the Taliban and the Canadian Army was inside the airport, so the airport was too dangerous," said. .. Today, I call Calgary my hometown.
Ahmadi is a former Canadian Army interpreter and is currently employed by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS).
"Of course, the Taliban were looking for me, but they are still looking."
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Ahmadi is now from Afghanistan We are helping new refugees at a hotel in Calgary, where more than 300 refugees currently live.
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Ahmadiyya and his family spend two months in a hotel in Toronto and Calgary before acquiring a permanent home. I was staying for almost half. I first arrived in Canada in August 2021.
“Temporary” Staying in a traditional accommodation will be longer than usual, "said Faliboltsville Jandian, Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Association. "We don't want to do that because it's not good for anyone to keep it for more than four or five weeks."
He said that long-term stays at hotels are permanent for newcomers. He said it was the result of paperwork that had to be done before he could get a house.
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"Our challenge is different from other cohorts.
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" For example, Syria When the person arrived, they were ready to move. Most immigration documents and health checks were not done in this group from Afghanistan.
"They are now on average I've been staying for about 6 weeks and I'm trying to shorten that period, "Birjandian said.
Since the Taliban , About 1,600 Afghan refugees settled in Calgary and took over.
"You should be happy with what Canada has done. I think we should celebrate what we have done," Birjandian said.
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The Center for Newcomers says the surge in the number of people coming to Canada to escape dangerous situations is straining services.
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"People are stuck in a hotel for more than eight weeks waiting for a particular service to be offered. I've heard horror stories, "said Kelly Ernst of the Center for Newcomers.
"Troublesome people at hotels and not getting them into market housing is probably the most expensive way we can support people.
" Passing people quickly It's much better to let people have their own homes and be self-sufficient as quickly as possible, "Ernst said.
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Hila Jabarkhel from Afghanistan in 2012 I came to Calgary.
She works for the Calgary Catholic Immigration Association, which supports other refugees. She is still worried about her sister who lives in Afghanistan and she wants to be able to come to Canada.
"It's difficult for them because they wanted peace, a job, and an education. They wanted to bring a bright future to their children, but. Now when I'm talking to them, they're hopeless, "said Jabalkel.
"My sister used to be a teacher, but now she's at home. She's scared because she doesn't have a job and all schools are closed. All women are at home.
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Afghanistan is grateful for the support received from the government, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Association and the local church. Say there is.
"I will never forget their support," Armady said. "What was very effective and helpful to me was a group of Canadian volunteers. They were eight people who worked in two churches.
" The Calgary Catholic Immigration Association is here. They have played an important role in settling refugees. They prepared the house for us, the clothes and the food, everything, "said Ahmadhi.
Since August last year, more than 16,000 Afghan refugees have arrived in Canada, waiting for more refugees.
The Government of Canada has promised to bring 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada.
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