Dozens of Afghan refugees touch down in B.C. to begin building new lives

More than four dozen peoplefleeing Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power have now arrived in B.C.,federal officials say.

Fifty refugees had touched down in B.C. as of Thursday, according to a statement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).Volunteers have already begun work to help families with the resettlement process.

"We can't even imagine how much they are going through emotionally and mentally," said Queenie Choo, CEO of the non-profit S.U.C.C.E.S.S,which supports immigrants and refugeessettling in Canada.

"It is important to look at how we can support them to make sure they are well so they can settle."

Where inCanadarefugees willlive depends on various factors, including ties to certain communitiesas well as overall settlement needs. The IRCC said"the vast majority" of the people who have landed in B.C. have family ties in the province.

Around 400 refugees are expected to arrive in B.C. by the end of October.

Choosaid families will need help finding housing, accessing services and learning English. She said her team also offersemployment services such as resume-writing, job huntingand interview preparation. There are alsospecial programs for seniors and children.

"This is not just switch over one day once they've landed in Canada. It takes time for them to transition," said Choo.

The Canadian government has promised to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees by 2024, including 5,000 people who were airlifted out by the United States before its withdrawal from Afghanistan at the end of August.

Canadaevacuated3,700 people from Kabul near the end of August, of which some 2,000 wereAfghans and their families who had helped Canadian soldiers and diplomats in the past.Canadaended its mission toAfghanistan in 2011 but military trainers stayed on until 2014.