Ukrainian refugees have begun arriving in the northern capital says the local organizing group Prince George For Ukraine.
The group says it is currently assisting seven families who have brought Ukrainians to Prince George or are expecting to have their Ukrainian families arrive in the city next week.
To date, 31 people have volunteered accommodations to assist displaced Ukrainians who may arrive in the city.
According to Canada Border Service Agency data more than 46,000 Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been approved to come to Canada, and as of April 10, more than 16,500 have already arrived.
Prince George for Ukraine says it is working with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to promote Prince George to those who are looking to come to Canada and is encouraging the federal government to assist those displaced Ukrainians who want to come by providing assistance with travel and initial settlement.
The group has also launched a website that provides information about how you can help meet the needs in Ukraine, and help Ukrainians get information about Prince George, especially around jobs, housing, language training, education, and more which is available in both English and Ukrainian.
Prince George For Ukraine’s goal is to give people information on how they can help, and to coordinate local responses for those who arrive in our community.
The city has also hosted a wide variety of fundraisers and community events to show support to those displaced with many more being planned.
A solidarity walk that drew a crowd of about 100 people took place this weekend at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park along the Fraser River.
On March 8, 26-year-old Vova Pluzhnikov, organized the 44 Kilometres for 44 Million fundraising run through the streets of Prince George which raised more than $76,000 for the Red Cross relief mission to help the estimated 10 million Ukrainians displaced by the war.
Then a few days later, on March 18 multiple levels of government came together to send a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and Premier regarding Prince George and the entire region as a location for welcoming potential Ukrainian refugees.
The Prince George volunteer effort is guided by a steering committee made up of both Members of Parliament; both Members of the (provincial) Legislative Assembly; Prince George City Council; the Lheidli T’enneh Nation; Yalenka Ukrainian Cultural Society; St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church; Share Hope Refugee Sponsorship Committee; Prince George Chamber of Commerce; Immigrant + Multicultural Services Society; and several community members and businesses.
You can find out more information here.
