PeaceGeeks is a tech non-profit organization founded in 2012, with a global reach through its programs and initiatives. PeaceGeeks envisions a world where those who are displaced are not lost. The organization’s mission is to create digital tools to support greater connection, peace, and safety for those who have been displaced.
Not only is PeaceGeeks a remarkable organization, they are also one that resides here in Vancouver, British Columbia and hold a special connection with our President, Andrew Mosawi.
More than ever, Canada’s record commitment to welcome 411,000 newcomers and immigrants in 2022 is proving challenging as mass populations flee war torn countries such as Ukraine in search of safety, security, and peace. Between March 17 and December 6, 2022, 724,494 applications have been received from Ukrainian citizens applying under the government’s Operation Canadian Safe Haven. With 451,258 applications approved thus far, access to trusted, accurate, up to date information remains a top barrier for those looking to start a new life in Canada.
In late 2021 PeaceGeeks received the United Nations Intercultural Innovation Award for its Arrival Advisor app. Arrival Advisor is a free, multilingual app that helps immigrants and refugees in British Columbia and Manitoba find information and services to plan their settlement journey. Arrival Advisor is currently available in ten languages including English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Punjabi, Tagalog, and now, Ukrainian.
“With the generous support and active collaboration from Accenture Canada, Microsoft, and iATS Payments by Deluxe®, PeaceGeeks is expanding the app to support incoming Ukrainian refugees and migrants in their settlement journey as we make Arrival Advisor available in Ukrainian,” said Jen Freeman, PeaceGeeks’ CEO. “Arrival Advisor will expand into Alberta and Saskatchewan later this year and invest in supporting refugees and immigrants being settled in rural areas.”
Currently 52% of Ukrainians seeking safe haven in Canada have arrived in Toronto, drawn to the metropolis’ cosmopolitan nature and name recognition. But with winter arriving and rental prices surging by 20.4% this quarter, there is demand to learn about other locations, and the support being offered to CUAET visa holders by various provinces. On October 25, Arrival Advisor released a Compare Canadian Cities tool. Showcasing 16 cities across Canada, this tool provides information about housing rental prices, in-demand jobs, childcare costs and more and allows users to compare cities side by side. The tool also has information specific to Ukrainian CUAET visa-holders to help navigate resources and services in Canada. It is currently available in English and Ukrainian with more languages and cities coming soon.
To learn more about PeaceGeeks click here to visit their website.
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