Syrian Refugees Who Fled To Canada Want To Return Favour To Ukrainians Fleeing War

As the war continues in Ukraine, Syrian refugees are painfully reminded of the civil war that started more than a decade ago in their country. 

Just last year 80,000 Syrians found refugee in Canada, with Manitoba’s Syrian community growing to approximately 2,500, according to Immigrate Manitoba. 

Joseph Chaeban, a refugee from Lebanon who found refuge in Canada in 1988, recently reached out to the community of Manitoba when his wife Zainab Ali’s family were looking to flee Syria.

Chaeban told CBC: “They brought three families to Canada and it was a total of 13 people. They gathered over $150,000 for them. It’s like seeing angels.”

CBC

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Canada decided it would create a system to welcome millions of refugees fleeing the war torn country and allow them to stay for three years until they decide their next steps. 

According to Global News Canada, 9,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada since January. 

As an influx of refugees arrive, the memories of the Syrian civil war ring to the forefront for Zainab Ali. 

"It brings back my memories. I wish it doesn't [happen as it did with] the Syrian war," she said.

Maysoun Darweesh, who is the program coordinator at migration and resettlement at the Mennonite Central Committee of Manitoba said the Russian invasion of Ukrainian brought up painful recollections for the entire Syrian community in Canada.

"When I saw Ukrainian people images, the civilians — you know, the bombing, the attack — it's just so painful," she said. "As Russia has stained hand with Syrian blood, they're doing the same in Ukraine."

Independent / Alamy

Syrian refugees have been coming for the last 11 years since the civil war began, and have grown up to now own their properties, have their own goals, and call Canada their permanent home. 

They are now ready to welcome the Ukrainian refugees with open arms and help them in any way they can. 

Chaeban said: “If anyone needs help, let us know. Because Canada helped my wife's family come and they were refugees."

Meanwhile, Darweesh, who is also the executive director of Kurdish Initiative, a non-profit charity aimed to support refugees, said she is ready to use her role to ease the transition for the Ukrainian refugees as much as possible. 

She said: “Everything's going to be okay. I don't know when, but I want them to know that they are welcome here. We love them. We will do our best to help them.

“We are waiting for you.”