‘We are safe’: Afghan refugees arrive in Hamilton

After fleeing Afghanistan, refugee families have arrived in Hamilton ready for a fresh start.

On Thursday evening, the parking lot of a downtown hotel was busy with activity. Men and women watched as children scrambled for toys brought by the Afghan Association of Hamilton.

So far, 109 individuals have come to the city, with many more" expected in the coming months, according to Wesley Urban Ministries, which receives government-assisted refugees in Hamilton every year. Among them is Rahim, an interpreter who served with NATO forces abroad before landing in Canada.

We are very happy, very excited ... we are safe," said Rahim, who didn't want his last name published out of concern for family abroad.

After crossing checkpoints and dodging the Taliban, he arrived in Toronto on Aug. 8 with his wife and five children, the youngest who is two months old. The Taliban had already taken over some districts in Afghanistan, so when Rahim got the chance, his family grabbed a plane and landed here with only documents in hand.

After quarantining in Toronto, his family came to Hamilton about two weeks ago. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Wesley arranged their temporary accommodation and will provide support for one to two years of living in permanent housing, said an email from senior director Rashed Afif.

The Afghan association has since provided meals and clothing, with help from donations from local businessman Chris Ecklund of The Canadian Heroes Foundation.

On Thursday, Rahim had just returned from looking at a potential home for his family. He has a degree in computer science and hopes to find a job in IT.

Since their arrival, families have completed paperwork to access OHIP and hope to have their kids in school soon.

Our lives were in danger, so we were not happy," a woman named Nargis said through an interpreter. She came to the city with her husband and six children, ages two to 19. Instability in Afghanistan meant her children couldn't go to school. Though she's glad to be in Canada, she is worried about her family back home.

Nisar Durrani and his family of seven reached Canada on Aug. 11. Durrani worked as an interpreter and logistics supplier with Canadian special forces in Kandahar. His family now has permanent residency in the country. I found a chance and came here because of my service or my luck. I don't have any idea," he said.

Despite the families' gratitude for a safe escape from Afghanistan, their stay in Canada hasn't been entirely smooth.

Durrani, dressed in grey sweats, said he'd walked into a store with traditional Afghan clothes and was met with racist comments. He brushed it off as someone having a bad day.

However, Rahim and Durrani said they also have bed bugs in their hotel. Durrani's son lifted his shirt to reveal red bite marks. Durrani pulled down his sleeve to show more on his arm.

In an email, Afif said Wesley is aware of the situation" and responded immediately." The organization is working with the hotel to ensure safe accommodation that meets the families' needs, he added. Impacted families have been given the option to remain in their current temporary accommodation or move to alternative accommodations," Afif said, noting staff are offering additional supports to affected families.

After the families are settled, the Afghan Association of Hamilton plans to help them navigate life in the new country.

All our volunteers were happy to help them and see smiles on the kids' faces," said director Akbar Haidary.

Residents can offer donations to Wesley's Afghan Refugee Fund or the Afghan Association of Hamilton.

Maria Iqbal is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator covering aging. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com.