Dear Editor:
War, famine, and climate change are endangering lives and displacing people at unprecedented levels.
Millions of refugees from at least 63 countries are currently in need of protection and assistance.
The exodus from Eritrea is one of the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. About 3,000 people a day are fleeing the country to escape persecution and torture from a brutal totalitarian regime.
The Summerland Refugee Sponsorship Group has applied to resettle an Eritrean family that has sought shelter at a UN refugee camp in Ethiopia.
If our application is accepted, the family should arrive in Summerland within six to 12 weeks.
In 2016, our group brought two Syrian refugee families to Summerland. Both families are now well integrated, contributing members of our community.
We believe Summerland is now ready to welcome another refugee family.
But we will need volunteers to help the new family adjust and get through their first year in Canada.
We will need people to help them with government paperwork, banking and budgeting, shopping and community orientation, transportation, medical appointments, English language tutoring, childminding, recreation, etc.
If you are interested in helping out, or just want to learn more, please come to a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. at the library.
Doug Holmes, President
Summerland Refugee Sponsorship Group
Summerland