43 Afghan refugees arrive in Lethbridge

Oct 17, 2022 | 11:24 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) is welcoming the arrival of dozens of people who have fled Afghanistan.

43 Afghan refugees came to Lethbridge for the first time on October 5, 2022, looking to resettle in Canada following the Taliban’s takeover of their home country in 2021.

According to a statement from LFS, the refugees and their families were either human rights defenders or supported Canadian operations in Afghanistan as interpreters, cooks, or drivers.

LFS Director of Immigrant Services John Lafferty says they are working hard to support these refugees and those from other countries.

“Lethbridge Family Services has been working with hundreds of refugees from all over the world, including our recent Afghan arrivals. We are committed to providing settlement services to displaced and persecuted individuals who arrive in Lethbridge. We do this with pride,” says Lafferty.

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Lafferty adds that refugees often face significant challenges when trying to relocate to a new country including finances, mental health, employment, language barriers, and more.

LFS is hoping to speak with property managers and landlords who have available properties that can be rented to the refugee families. Financial contributions are also welcome.

Since August 2021, the Government of Canada has welcomed more than 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan. The government’s goal is to resettle 40,000 from the country.

by David Opinko