A charter flight with 313 Afghans who supported Canada's mission in Afghanistan landed at YVR on Friday morning.
The newcomers will first be staying in a Richmond hotel managed by SUCCESS for three weeks. They will then transition to Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) and another hotel for ongoing support and permanent housing supports, said Chris Friesen, chief operating officer of ISSofBC.
June 20 is World Refugee Day, and this year's theme is "Whoever. Wherever. Whenever.", which focuses on everyone's right to seek safety.
"The Government of Canada is working hard to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals as quickly and safely as possible," said Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
"Canada has now welcomed over 16,000 Afghan refugees."
Those interested in supporting and helping Afghan refugees to settle in the country can visit the federal government's website for more information.
