It’s time for constructive compassion

In a recent column, Gail Lethbridge indicated that it is not only the United States, but also Canada that has seen large numbers of people migrating in hopes of finding refuge. European countries, are also now home to many fleeing the war in Syria and hostilities and famine in parts of Africa. Lethbridge noted that the United Nations refugee agency estimates that 60 million people have left their country of birth.

It is difficult to imagine the extreme sacrifices made by individuals and families as they flee from a war torn country, extreme drought, extremism, or gang violence. There have been images of people on foot carrying a few possessions, and unbelievable numbers jammed into a raft attempting to land in a place of safety.

Canada has taken in Syrian refugees, although we are not at the top regarding numbers. There have also been many Iraqi refugees that now make Canada their home. The tiny Scandinavian countries have outdone Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom in welcoming those fleeing danger and oppression.

It is odd, but true that Canada is now seeing large numbers of people crossing the border to our south seeking asylum...thanks to Trump tactics regarding immigration. Kongni Fiowole-Kouevi left Togo for the United States because of religious persecution. He was denied asylum in the United States...so this past January he paid a man $700 for a ride from Minneapolis to a spot near the border at Emerson, Manitoba. After walking for more than four hours in -20 C temperature he suffered severe frostbite in his hands.

Prior to Kongni's horrific experience a Ghanaian refugee also crossed into Canada at Emerson. On Dece. 24, Seidu Mohammed and a friend nearly froze to death before finally being picked up by a truck driver. On Jan. 11, it was reported that the 24-year-old man was to lose all of his fingers and a toe due to extreme frostbite.

Whether it is crossing a large body of water in a rubber raft or crossing a border in extreme cold; it has to be noted that these acts are the acts of desperate people. In 2017 there were nearly 50,000 asylum seekers hoping to enter Canada. There were over 20,000 intercepted by the RCMP. There are huge numbers living for years in refugee camps in various parts of the world. There are 15.4 million refugees globally and most have been in the camps for at least 5 years. It is estimated that 7 million people have been displaced within Syria and about 6 million are considered refugees. Of those about 10 percent live in camps.

It would appear that those of us who have a safe place to live and food to eat could do more for our brothers and sisters. This is a large country geographically. We could welcome many more people and still have plenty of space. Ultimately, we could benefit. There are well-educated and hard-working people among those seeking asylum. The chances are pretty good that newcomers would be highly motivated to prove their value. Another perk, there would be more workers; and thus, more tax payers.

The perfect solution would be the end of all wars, extremism, and natural disasters. Since that is not likely to happen we need to open our doors and our hearts.

Shirley Hallee’s column appears weekly in the Amherst News.