The first government-sanctioned group of Ukrainian refugees seeking refuge in Newfoundland and Labrador has landed in St. John’s.
The flight landed at St. John’s International Airport around 7 pm NT after taking off from the Polish city of Katowice. A total of 166 refugees were on board, including 55 children, according to Prime Minister Andrew Furey, who welcomed them to the province after they disembarked.
The flight, chartered by the province’s Immigration Department, is part of rescue efforts first launched by the provincial government in March, which set up a satellite office in Warsaw to help Ukrainians fleeing Russian attacks on resettle in the province.
The office worked with incoming Ukrainians to work out details such as obtaining passports, visas, and transportation.
It is a great honor to officially welcome this group of Ukrainians to Newfoundland and Labrador, and to Canada. Thanks to everyone who works hard to make this happen. 🇨🇦🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/jPijyTjaNU
Once through customs, and greeted by local cheers, the Ukrainians who arrived said they were grateful to be in Newfoundland and Labrador after a long journey.
“I am happy!” Stan, a Ukrainian traveler, exclaimed to reporters, adding that he even had a job lined up at a mine in Baie Verte.
“For years I dreamed of coming to Canada and I got a job on my first day. It’s just perfect, the local government helped me a lot… It’s just wonderful.”
Stan said he is still worried about his family back home, particularly his father, who is currently involved in the war, but is grateful for the opportunities the future may hold in Newfoundland.
“At the time the war started, I was in Europe. But I… I worry about my father… He told me ‘Since I’m in this war, you have your chance for your future,'” he said.
“We pray [to] stop it, and all Ukrainians appreciate the help of the whole world. We are very sorry”.
Immigration Minister Gerry Byrne said Monday’s flight is the first government-chartered plane to bring Ukrainian refugees to Canada, though thousands have already landed on Canadian soil since the Russian invasion in February.
Data from the Canada Border Services Agency reveals more than 19,000 Ukrainian arrivals in Canada so far this year, as Ottawa faces a flood of asylum applications. The federal government has approved more than 90,000 temporary visa applications since mid-March.
In St. John’s, both Furey and Byrne were part of the welcome party for Newfoundland and Labrador, along with local employers and nonprofit groups like the Association of New Canadians.
The provincial immigration minister previously told CBC News that some of the people on the flight have already found work and started their new jobs Tuesday morning.
One of those starting a job is Iryna, who will start working with PAL Airlines this week.
“It’s amazing that it’s still daytime, it’s been such a long day,” he laughed after a long journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
“People from [Newfoundland] He’s been very supportive of us… In fact, he was planning to go to Toronto. But they offered me a flight and I said ‘Yes! Let’s do that.’ I’m going to Newfoundland!”
Audience welcomes with open arms
Furey called Monday a day of pride for the province, saying residents and officials alike stand ready to support incoming travelers however they can.
“This needs to be a place of safe haven,” Furey said, speaking to CBC News at the airport just before the plane’s arrival.
“These are people who have lost their homes; many of their homes, as we have seen on television, have been destroyed by missiles. They don’t have a place to call home and we want to give them a home.”
Furey said it is too early to say how many more flights with Ukrainians might land in the province, but he says there are 600-700 people who have connected with the province’s Ukrainian helpdesk awaiting entry.
He said they’re also talking to Ottawa to help with things like education and health care for new arrivals, but added that it’s more important that refugees get to Newfoundland and Labrador first.
The airport arrivals area was also filled with a welcoming crowd, eager to make the refugees feel at home in their new country.
Eighth-grader Julia Lampe held up a banner created by students at St. Paul’s Junior High in St. John’s. She felt it was important to be there so that children and families coming from Ukraine know that they are not alone on their journey.
“We want Ukrainians to know that there are people who care about what’s going on. Not just watch it like any other old TV show,” Lampe said.
Wayne Holloway brought his large Ukrainian flag to welcome the travelers.
“It’s up to us to make sure they feel welcome in Newfoundland. That we do everything we can. It’s up to us to make sure they feel welcome and hopefully we can encourage them to stay.”
Reference-www.cbc.ca