Toronto (September 3, 2021) – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) and B’nai Brith Canada are partnering with the Afghan Women’s Organization Refugee & Immigrant Service and The Neighbourhood Organization to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghan refugees.

Thousands of Afghan refugees are being resettled in Canada because of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Many are facing difficulties, from learning a new language and finding affordable housing to even obtaining the most basic necessities.

Donations are being collected through the Emergency Afghan Refugee Relief Campaign and will be used to purchase food items, laptop computers, tablets, cellphones, school supplies and backpacks, with 100 per cent of the funds raised going directly toward purchasing these essential items. The organizations will also be accepting laptops and iPads in working condition in the near future.

In addition, yesterday FSWC and B’nai Brith Canada also prepared food packages and delivered them to the Afghan Women’s Organization for distribution to refugees in the Greater Toronto Area.

“The Jewish community understands all too well the challenges and pain refugees face as they try to rebuild their lives. At this time, it is important for us to support Afghan families in their time of need,” said Michael Levitt, president and CEO of FSWC. “There is much to do locally to help those who have fled the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and we are pleased to come together as a community to lend a hand.”

“The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is unprecedented in scope with thousands of Afghans fleeing the Taliban and worsening conditions,” said Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of B’nai Brith Canada. “As Jewish-Canadians, we are all too familiar with the struggles refugees face in coming to a new country. We are committed to helping recent arrivals adjust to life in Canada as they start anew.”