Syrian refugees welcomed to Winnipeg

WINNIPEG — Among the first Syrian refugees, being sponsored through the Government of Canada’s resettlement plan, have landed in Winnipeg.

On Saturday afternoon, 17 refugees, made up of two families, were met with welcoming signs and hugs at James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

RELATED: 1st planeload of Syrian refugees land on Canadian soil

One family will be staying in Winnipeg, being helped by Welcome Place, a multi-faith immigration immigration council. The other family has been privately-sponsored through the non-profit “Build a Village”. They will live in the town of Altona, about 100 km south of Winnipeg.

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Halam Jasim, an interpreter from Welcome Place said the families were not expecting the warm welcome.

“They say ‘we didn’t expect them to welcome us like that’. They’re very happy, surprised.”