The Canadian Immigration Ministry has announced that it will provide $15 million in financial aid to support vulnerable Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Central Asian countries.
Mark Miller, the Canadian Immigration Minister, stated at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva on Saturday that this aid would be made available to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This announcement highlights Canada’s collaborative efforts with international organizations to aid refugees.
Miller stressed that the funds are allocated to meet the needs of Afghan refugees in host countries. This move is a part of Canada’s broader strategy to support displaced individuals where they currently reside.
“The Government of Canada has committed to providing CAN$21 million (US$15 million) in grant funding over three years (from 2022–2023 to 2024–2025) to support the IOM’s Comprehensive Action Plan. This funding advances Canada’s commitment to support displaced Afghans.
“Activities funded to date focus on helping government and local organizations respond to the protection, health and integration needs of Afghan refugees in their communities in five countries neighboring Afghanistan: Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” the document said.
According to Miller, the Canadian government intends to settle more than 136,000 refugees over the next three years. This ambitious plan underlines Canada’s role as a leading nation in refugee resettlement.
