KITCHENER – With the world currently witnessing the highest level of refugees on record – more than half of them under the age of 18 – the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is appealing for more sponsors.
MCC officials say over 68.5 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes and 25.4 million are refugees. The organization is calling on individuals, communities, neighbours and faith groups to change lives through Canada’s Blended Visa Office Referred (BVOR) program.
The program matches the most vulnerable refugees identified for resettlement by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with private sponsors in Canada. The Government of Canada gives up to six months of income support.
After the success of the 2018 BVOR Fund, the Refugee Hub, the Shapiro Foundation, G. Barrie Landry and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto are relaunching a $2.5-million 2019 BVOR Fund.
It will provide qualifying sponsoring groups with an additional six months of support for the resettlement of up to 3,000 refugees approved by the government for resettlement through the BVOR program this year.
This fund is time-limited and will cover the sponsor’s portion of the BVOR sponsorship costs. Groups will be responsible for securing funding or in-kind donations to cover start-up costs such as clothing and furniture.
Sponsors can apply for the funds between May 2 and Aug. 31 or until the fund is exhausted prior to the deadline. Refugees sponsored with the support of this fund will arrive in Canada before Dec. 31, 2019. All refugees resettled to Canada undergo rigorous security, legal and health checks. Upon arrival, the refugees will be welcomed and supported by their sponsorship group for a minimum of one year.
For more information, contact Sheryl Bruggeling at sherylbruggeling@mcco.ca or 519-745-8458 ext. 265.
