Refugees are continuing to arrive in the Tri-Cities but in much smaller numbers than last year, according to statistics from Immigrant Services Society of BC.
The ISSBC has sent out its first quarter bulletin for 2017, showing that of 212 government-assisted refugees who have arrived in B.C. between Jan. 1 and March 31, only eight, or 4%, settled in Coquitlam.
Surrey, in contrast, received 73 government-assisted refugees in that time period.
Syria remains the top source country, followed by Iran and Iraq, Eritrea, Myanmar and China.
Housing remains a prime concern for the agency as a higher number of government-assisted refugees are arriving with physical limitations. In all, ISSBC is expected to settle 900 individuals this year, 720 of whom are destined for Metro Vancouver.
Last year, 90 people in several family units arrived in Coquitlam, all of them Syrian, making up 7% of Syrian government-assisted refugees. However, that number is down from 200 who originally moved to the area but had to relocate due to a fire in a Cottonwood apartment and other housing issues.
As well, according to a report by ISS of BC, a number of Syrian refugees who still live in the area are concerned they will have to move because the area close to SkyTrain is slated for redevelopmet.
To see the complete report, visit: http://issbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Syrian-Refugee-Settlement_Patterns_final_web.pdf
