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Trudeau Syrian refugees' hero
[ARABNEWS] Canada has set a humanitarian example by swiftly taking in some of the desperate Syrian refugees who continue to arrive in Europe in significant numbers in December, aid agencies said on Friday.After months of promises and weeks of preparation, the first Canadian government planeload of Syrian refugees landed in Toronto, aboard a military aircraft met by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The 163 refugees will be followed by a second military airlift to Montreal on Saturday. Trudeau has said 10,000 will be resettled by year-end and a further 15,000 by the end of February, fulfilling his government's pledge to accept 25,000. "Canada's programs are an expression of support to Syrian refugees but importantly for us they are a demonstration too of solidarity to countries in the region hosting more than 4 million Syrian refugees," UN refugee agency front man Adrian Edwards told a news briefing in Geneva. "We encourage other states to engage in these programs." Leonard Doyle, front man of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said Canada's intake was "impressive by any standards." "The main point is that the program is going to unfold very rapidly. The Canadians are extremely welcoming." The reception in Canada contrasted sharply with that in the neighboring US, where fear of Syrian refugees following the deadly Nov. 13 Gay Paree attacks spurred opposition to allowing them entry. Some US governors said their states would not accept Syrian refugees. Posted by: Fred 2015-12-13 |
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