The province is rolling out more funding for refugees across B.C., including in Victoria.

Five Refugee Response Teams received a second round of funding, totalling nearly $230,000 to help refugees settle and integrate into B.C. communities.

Funding was shared in two instalments, the first portion delivered in the spring. The remaining funds announced on July 1, based on updated settlement numbers.

“There is nothing more Canadian than welcoming people from around the world, and this Canada Day we’ll see Refugee Response Teams throughout British Columbia receiving their second allocation of funding to continue their work supporting Syrian refugees,” Minister of Jobs Shirley Bond said.

The funding is part of the government’s $500,000 investment from the $1 million Refugee Readiness Fund to identify and prioritize short-term community needs and a co-ordinated approach to helping refugees.

Organizations, service area and their funding amounts include:

  • Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, Vancouver Island: $47,500
  • MOSAIC, Metro Vancouver: $95,162
  • DiverseCity, Fraser City: $54,786
  • Kelowna  Community Resources Society, Thompson Okanagan: $20,691
  • Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society of Prince George, Cariboo: $ 10,856