FAQ | Syrian Refugee Arrival in Canada

1

. How can I help refugees?
The best way to support the Canadian Red Cross’ refugee operation efforts is through a donation. You can make a donation of any amount online to the Syrian Refugee Arrival Appeal or the Refugee Crisis Fund, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or by contacting your local Canadian Red Cross office.

2. What sort of support is  the Canadian Red Cross offering refugees arriving in Canada?
We are working with government partners, community agencies, local officials, and resettlement agencies to help support needs. These services have included assisting with the Welcome Centre in Quebec, where we welcomed 10,790 refugees in the last 3 months and provided essential items such as winter clothing, meals and snacks, transportation between the Welcome Centre and temporary accommodations, as well as reception and information services.  Red Cross volunteers were also on hand to support refugees in temporary shelters in Quebec and British Columbia.

Now that all 25,000 refugees have arrived we are working with government partners and community organizations across the country in order to provide longer-term support to Syrian families in their new communities. We will also offer our Restoring Family Links service to help refugees connect with their loved ones. We may offer further support at the government’s request. 

3. Where will the Canadian Red Cross be working to support refugees?
The Canadian Red Cross has worked with government partners as well as community agencies across the country to identify where Canadian Red Cross services are required. We will also work closely with local officials and resettlement agencies to help support needs. We assisted at the Welcome Centre in Quebec, as well as temporary shelters in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.

Now that all 25,000 refugees have arrived, the Canadian Red Cross will provide longer-term support for Syrian families as they settle in their new communities.

The Canadian Red Cross is also continuing to assist refugees overseas, supporting sister societies such as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, German Red Cross and Hellenic Red Cross. 

4. How can I support the Canadian Red Cross refugee operations?
The best way to support our efforts can make a financial donation online to the Syrian Refugee Arrival Appeal or the Refugee Crisis Fund, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or by contacting your local Canadian Red Cross office.

5. Can I donate items like blankets, food or clothing?
The Canadian Red Cross is not accepting donations of items, as in our experience these items are not always what are needed most. We work closely with partner agencies to identify where help is most needed; because of this, financial donations are the most effective way to support the Canadian Red Cross as they allow us to focus on helping the most vulnerable.

6. How much of my donation goes towards fundraising costs?
Fundraising costs will not exceed 5%. While there are costs associated with fundraising, the Canadian Red Cross ensures that the largest possible amount of Canadians’ donations will be used to support the refugee operation efforts.
Some of the types of costs associated with raising funds include things like the proper resources to process donations securely and issuing tax receipts.

7. What is the difference between the Refugee Crisis Fund and the Syrian Refugee Arrival Fund?
The Refugee Crisis Fund:
Donations to the Refugee Crisis Fund aid those who have left Syria and are seeking refuge and protection in other countries. These include some four million refugees and asylum seekers in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq among other countries neighbouring Syria, as well as those who have recently arrived in Europe and elsewhere.  

The Syrian Refugee Arrival Appeal:
Donations to the Syrian Refugee Arrival Appeal support the Syrian refugees who will be arriving in Canada. Refugees will need assistance for many months after their arrival as they adapt to new life in Canada, the Canadian Red Cross will be working with government partners, community agencies, local officials, and resettlement agencies to support refugees as they transition to their new communities.

8.  I am from a resettlement agency that would like to apply for financial support from the Canadian Red Cross, what should I do?
Resettlement agencies who wish to apply for financial support may do so by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office. 

9. A door-to-door canvasser came to my home asking for donations to the Canadian Red Cross. Is it a scam?
As part of our regular fundraising efforts, the Canadian Red Cross has canvassers go door-to-door to raise money for ongoing work. This occurs throughout the year at the pre-scheduled dates in various locations across the country.

Canvassers will always wear Canadian Red Cross branded clothing, will always carry Canadian Red Cross identification with them, and will not ask for cash donations.

10. Does the Canadian Red Cross sponsor refugees?
The Canadian Red Cross does not sponsor refugees. We work with government partners, community agencies, local officials, and resettlement agencies to help identify and support needs of refugees as they arrive and adapt to a new life in Canada.

11. How do I sponsor a refugee?
We recommend you contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as they will be able to direct your inquiry.

12. How do I host a refugee in my home?
We recommend you contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as they will be able to direct your inquiry.

13. How can I volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross?
The Canadian Red Cross has thousands of highly-trained, experienced volunteers across Canada. Visit www.redcross.ca/volunteer for contact information for your local Red Cross office and information on how to become a volunteer.

14. Why not focus on giving assistance to Canadians in need?
The Red Cross does the same thing here in Canada as we do around the world. This mission of the Canadian Red Cross is to be there and support the most vulnerable when conflicts or disaster strike. We respond to small-scale events such as house fires but also major disasters, like the Alberta Floods, the Monteregie Floods or the tragedy in Lac-Mégantic. Our work in Canada will continue during this operation.

During the operation to help Syrian refugees arrive and resettle, our role will be to support all levels of government in delivering humanitarian assistance.