Ukraine Initiatives

The African Canadian Association of Ottawa is committed to helping vulnerable Black people, especially international students and the diaspora community in this time of fear and uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine. We are leading the efforts of the global partners of African and Black organizations worldwide, raising funds to support people from the Black community who are stuck in the war-torn nation to get them to safety. Due to the treatment of racialized people trying to flee to neighbouring countries in order to return to their home countries, our organization is working with a host of African and Black organizations to assist in evacuating and providing food, shelter, transportation, and warm clothes to Black people facing discrimination during their escape to safety.

Our efforts don’t stop with the evacuation. We are trying to convince the Canadian government to allow the students fleeing the war in Ukraine, who had their studies disrupted to continue their education here in Canada. Many of the students from Africa studying in Ukraine were already seeking a better life escaping unrest and war in their home countries. We hope our efforts will bear fruit as that’s what Canadians are proud of in such situations– stepping up and welcoming all people equally.