Refugee claimants face many obstacles when arriving into a new country. Often the lack of resources, unfamiliarity with the systems and surroundings, and language and financial constraints make starting a new life very difficult. Today the Canadian Red Cross Lower Mainland Region officially launches First Contact, a program that provides assistance to refugee claimants to help them make a successful new start and prevent marginalization, distress and exploitation.
As the name indicates, the Red Cross will be the first connection with refugee claimants arriving at Lower Mainland ports of entry, in detention, or at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office. The Canada Border Services Agency in Vancouver and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Vancouver Admissions have agreed to provide refugee claimants with First Contact information so that they have the opportunity to get assistance by calling the 24/7 information line serving 9 languages. Trained Red Cross volunteers will be able to provide timely and accurate information, referral information to services and agencies in the region and in Canada, as well as accompaniment to appointments if necessary.
Why is the Red Cross involved? The mission of the Red Cross is to help the most vulnerable in Canada and around the world and refugee claimants are extremely vulnerable when they arrive in Canada. They need support and assistance from the basics of where to find housing and food to getting through the detailed process of applying for refugee protection. By being the first to connect with refugee claimants at their arrival, First Contact will endeavour to make sure no claimant fails to connect with the appropriate services quickly.
“The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblem is recognized worldwide for its humanitarian services with the Principles of Neutrality, Independence and Impartiality,” says Manon Levesque, Coordinator of the First Contact program. “Refugee claimants will likely be familiar with the Red Cross or Red Crescent in their country of origin and will feel comfortable seeking assistance from the First Contact program in Canada.“
First Contact collaborated with more than 35 government and non-government agencies to start this program to address the needs of the vulnerable population. First Contact will continue to work closely with the agencies as the program will refer refugee claimants to the various services available throughout the region.
“We see First Contact as an invaluable new resource that will prevent new arrivals in search of protection from falling between the cracks and falling prey to friendly but inaccurate street info at one end or unscrupulous exploitation at the other,” says Alexandra Charlton of the Settlement Orientation Service (S.O.S). “There will be an opportunity for timely intervention that will connect them with more appropriate help, free of charge.”
The Canadian Red Cross would like to thank the Vancouver Foundation, The Law Foundation of British Columbia, Province of British Columbia, Vancity, and the United Way of the Lower Mainland for their support to the program. Without their financial support, the program could not exist to help reach vulnerable clients beginning their life in Canada.
For more information or to setup an interview with Manon Levesque from the Canadian Red Cross or Alexandra Charlton from S.O.S., please contact:
Alice Lam
Marketing & Public Affairs
Canadian Red Cross, Lower Mainland Region
T: 604-709-6626
C: 604-839-8941
E: alice.lam@redcross.ca
www.redcross.ca/lowermainland
For more information about the Canadian Red Cross (B.C. Lower Mainland), click here.
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