Waseem elrayyes and his close relatives have been one of the lucky families who have been able to escape to Canada for months. Federal government’s temporary visa program.
39 years old, his wife, five children, his mother and brothers have lived in Nepian with his sister Ora Arrees from October 31, 2024.
Before arriving in Canada, the family evacuated to a crowded building and Gaza tent after his house was destroyed. His youngest was born during the war.
ELRAYYES couldn’t speak English, so his sister interpreted it when remembered what it was like to live through a conflict.
“I don’t know what will happen,” said Arureyes, who has six members in his family.
“His children were not the same child as he had,” continued. “They were shouting, [had] During the war, time, anxiety and many mental problems have influenced them. ”
The Canadian government announced special measures for the large family last January, and most of the time, a qualified Gazan could stay in Canada for up to three years.
The program was originally concluded at 1,000, but in May it increased the number of visas available by the Minister of Immigration Mark Mirror to 5,000 and responded to an increase in demand.
Alrayyes applied on behalf of 29 family members, but only 16 have arrived.
“We are waiting for the Canadian government to take extra measures to help people living in Gaza. Many people there. [are] She is waiting for this moment, “she said.
As of January 4, 2025, immigrants, refugees, and citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that 4,782 applications were counted and considered to be qualified, but arrived in a temporary policy. Only 616 people did.
Hold up at border
In a statement to the CBC, IRCC stated that the applicant had to leave Gaza to complete biological authentication in Egypt before the application was confirmed. But that is not always easy.
“Traveling from Gaza remains very difficult due to other factors other than Canada’s control. This is a major issue about how quickly the application can be processed from Gazan,” IRCC says. I said.
IRCC added that 1,014 people have left Gaza on their own, submitted biological authentication, and have approved to come to Canada.
ELRAYYES and his family completed the process in March and crossed the Lafa border for $ 5,000 per adult and $ 2,500 per child.
However, when the border intersection was closed in the second half of the spring, his two sisters could not complete the application. Now many are stuck in the same situation.
“I was helpless. I can’t do anything about it. We support the Canadian government to do something,” said Alleyes. “You are always worried about them.”
“Anxiety, anxiety, problem”
Jamie Lew, a law professor at Ottawa University, a specialist in immigrants, refugees and citizenship law, is sympathetic to the Canadian government, but he needs to do more. He said he was thinking.
“We have experienced a large -scale experience to take people from Syrian refugees and people from Ukraine. I think there is a problem. ”
After the 15 -month -old war, Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire contract on January 15 to pause the battle in Gaza. Liew wants the Canadian government to take advantage of a short window.
“Now we are in the ceasefire, so it’s time to act quickly and quickly. I don’t know how long the ceasefire will last. I think she is obliged -to really put a resource -to help people go out. ”
ELRAYYES fears that the suspension of violence will be short -lived.
“Despite joy … there is another concern that the blood river stops. I think it will be another war after the war. Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed. It would be, “said Alleies on behalf of his brothers.
