December 8, 2021—Halifax, Nova Scotia—As a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is a major contributor to international peace and security, Canada is taking a lead role in ensuring that NATO is able to resettle all its Afghan staff who were evacuated. As part of the commitment to welcome Afghan refugees, the government is resettling up to 472 NATO-identified locally engaged staff and their family members.
Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, extended a warm virtual welcome to 265 NATO locally engaged staff and their families who landed at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Approximately 100 will remain in Nova Scotia, and the rest will continue on to their new homes across Canada.
These former NATO employees arrived in Canada from a third country where they had been temporarily located since leaving Afghanistan. They are part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to welcome 15,000 individuals through its special humanitarian program for Afghan refugees.
As government-assisted refugees, these new arrivals can count on the help of Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations, like the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, for short- and long-term support. This includes helping them find permanent housing and providing them with information about finding a job, improving their language skills, and living in Canada generally.
The outpouring of support from Canadians for Afghan refugees to date has been outstanding. Individuals and businesses looking to get involved through volunteering, donating, sponsoring or supporting the wider resettlement efforts can learn more about how Canadians can help.
