The trickle of Syrian refugees arriving in Moncton is quickly becoming a flood.
The hub city has already accepted more immigrants than it did in all of 2014. But the city says more are on the way.
Volunteers at the Multicultural Association of Greater Moncton (MAGMA) are getting ready to welcome a family of nine Syrian refugees.
“We sort of want to help the people that need to be helped,” said volunteer Norman Doiron. “If I was in the same situation, I'd like for them to give me a hand. They've had a hard time in their country.”
Finding accommodations has had its challenges.
“Finding an apartment that is close to public transit because they need that,” said Justin Ryan of MAGMA. “In a school area that can handle having new children coming in because some of our schools have spaces.”
Ryan says refugees are worried about their safety and the safety of their family they left behind, so they are asking for privacy.
“All of the Syrians we've had to date, when we've approached have said, ‘We fear that ISIS will take retribution against our family to punish us for escaping the conflict, punish us for not being part of the Islamic State,” said Ryan.
Since the end of December, 152 Syrian refugees have settled in Moncton. That number is expected to double by the end of February.
“A lot of people overlook the fact that typically speaking we get between 700 to 900 independent immigrants, such as myself, who come through who still need the services, who still need language classes,” said Ryan.
Some items are still needed. A supplies drive will be held Saturday in a warehouse in the Caledonia Industrial Park.
“Just go back and think of when you first moved into your first apartment or your first house and think of everything you needed in order to survive in that house,” said Isabelle LeBlanc of the City of Moncton. “Those are the things these families need.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jonathan MacInnis.
