Montreal, April 9, 2022 (AFP) – Canada announced measures on Saturday to facilitate the arrival of Ukrainian refugees and pledged to provide an additional 100 million Canadian dollars (79.5 million US dollars) in aid to Ukraine and neighboring countries.

The additional amount, which will be used for emergency medical care and basic needs, was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the international Stand Up for Ukraine fundraiser, which he co-hosted with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“We continue our efforts to facilitate the arrival of Ukrainians in Canada,” the president said on Twitter.

With this new contribution, Canada has already provided C$245 million, or about US$195 million, in humanitarian assistance so far to deal with the aftermath of the conflict in Ukraine.

Two Trudeau government ministers also announced on Saturday that Ottawa was working with Canadian airlines to offer flights exclusively to Ukrainians. In addition, the government will provide financial support to Ukrainian refugees and two weeks of hotel accommodation.

“We are considering providing assistance of $500 a week for six weeks,” Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told a news conference.

“Many Ukrainians who find refuge in Canada have ties” to the country, such as family or friends, he said.

The Ukrainian diaspora in Canada – one of the largest in the world – is mainly concentrated in the center and west of the country.

Since the start of the year, more than 12,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the United States, according to government figures.

Since the establishment in mid-March of a special immigration program designed to offer three years of temporary residence to Ukrainians fleeing the war, Canada has approved 30,000 applications.

gen/cjc/dg/rsr/ap

Twitter