ISSofBC is honoured to share the 2017 Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Award with the BC Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology for our role as an essential partner in the Refugee Readiness Fund Initiative.
The Refugee Readiness Fund, established in 2015, was the BC Government’s response to the emerging humanitarian crisis in Syria. The fund of $1 million helped facilitate pro-active community responses to ensure Syrian refugees were welcomed and supported in destined communities in BC.
The BC Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology utilized the fund, in collaboration with organizations across the province including ISSofBC, to set up five refugee response teams to proactively plan for the settlement of refugees in their communities.
An additional partnership with ISSofBC and the ministry established the Refugee Readiness Hub—an online resource for users in BC to read the latest status of refugee arrivals, find tools, resources and local settlement programs and services.
We are proud to contribute to this initiative and the positive impact is has created across the province.
