After years of detention in Papua New Guinea and Manus Island, the first Operation #NotForgotten refugees – sponsored by MOSAIC – are arriving in Canada this week.
The first newcomer arrived in Vancouver on Dec. 6 and will be followed by six more refugees on Friday, Dec. 10. Five men will arrive in Vancouver and one will arrive in Toronto. All seven are privately sponsored refugees as part of Operation #NotForgotten (ONF) – a community-led response developed in 2019 to provide private sponsorship to Canada for refugees affected by Australia’s offshore processing policy.
“MOSAIC is thrilled to welcome the first individuals resettled to Canada through Operation #NotForgotten this week! We unite in our shared humanity and are demonstrating that these people are NOT forgotten,” said Alexandra Dawley, Senior Manager of Refugee Resettlement and Integration Programs.
”Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this possible. We are excited to see what the future in Canada holds for our new neighbors!”
ONF is a partnership between MOSAIC, Ads Up Canada Refugee Network, the Refugee Council of Australia, UNHCR, dedicated volunteers and many other valued partners. Applications are in process for 157 refugees and 120 of their family members in the refugees’ countries of origin.
This major initiative has been made possible by the generous contributions of Australians and Canadians, who have raised $3.6 million AUD (approximately $3.3 million CAD) to date. These funds will be used to support refugees during their first year of life in Canada, and volunteer groups of Australian expats and Canadians, along with settlement workers, will provide emotional and social support.
Interested in supporting further refugee resettlement efforts? Donate today and select ‘Operation Not Forgotten’ to direct your gift to those arriving from Papua New Guinea and Manus Island.
