Canada announced this Saturday (9) measures to facilitate the arrival of Ukrainian refugees and pledged to provide an additional 100 million Canadian dollars (US$ 79.5 million) in aid to Ukraine and neighboring countries.

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

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

With this new contribution, Canada has provided CAD 245 million, approximately $195 million, in humanitarian assistance so far to address the effects of the conflict in Ukraine.

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

“We are considering providing assistance of $500 a week for six weeks,” Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told a news conference.

“Many Ukrainians who have sought 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 concentrated mainly in the central and western parts of the country.

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

Since creating a special immigration program in mid-March to provide three years of temporary housing for Ukrainians fleeing the war, Canada has approved 30,000 applications. (AFP)