Montreal, Apr 9, 2022 (AFP) – Canada on Saturday announced steps to facilitate the arrival of Ukrainian refugees and pledged to provide an additional 100 million Canadian dollars ($79.5 million) in aid to Ukraine and neighboring countries.

This additional amount, which will be used for emergency medical care and basic necessities, was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the international Stand Up for Ukraine fundraiser, which he co-organized with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

“We continue our efforts to facilitate the arrival of Ukrainians to Canada,” the president said on Twitter.

With this new contribution, Canada has provided C$245 million, approximately US$195 million, in humanitarian aid so far to address the impact of the conflict in Ukraine.

Two of Trudeau’s government ministers also announced Saturday that Ottawa was working with a Canadian airline to offer flights exclusively to Ukraine. In addition, the government will provide financial support to Ukrainian refugees and hotel accommodation for two weeks.

“We are considering providing $500 a week for six weeks,” Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told a news conference.

“Many Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada have ties” to the country, such as family or friends, he said.

The Ukrainian diaspora in Canada – one of the largest in the world – is largely concentrated in the center and west of the country.

Since the start of the year, more than 12,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the US, according to government figures.

Since the establishment in mid-March of a special immigration program designed to offer three years of temporary residency to Ukrainians fleeing war, Canada has approved 30,000 applications.

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