A group of Syrian refugees in Fredericton held a fundraising campaign to help Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees recently. They say they wish they could do even more for their new country.
The group says the generosity of Canadians in welcoming them and providing them with what they needed to start their new lives is something they will never forget.
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They also said they feel raising money to donate is the least they can do and wish they could help in other ways as well.
“Canada, it’s our home, my home, Syrian refugees home,” said Anas Khaddam who arrived in Fredericton three months ago. “We are ready to receive all the families in Alberta and are ready to go now to Alberta.”
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Khaddam’s wife Assil al-Ammouri says many of the refugees know this type of tragedy all too well and are saddened that it’s taken place in a country that has given them a new life.
“We can see the fire destroying everywhere, we can see that people are afraid and scared and we can hear their crying and their voices shouting,” she said. “It’s hard, it’s very, very hard, we lived this situation, we lived it before.”
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The group says they are unsure how much was raised but that one refugee donated his entire monthly stipend of $1,376 to the cause.
The donations were dropped off at the Red Cross recently.