A second Palestinian Iraqi family that spent time in a Syrian refugee camp have moved to the Valley, thanks to the efforts of the Comox Valley Refugee Support Committee.The Al Halaaqs — a family of nine who lived at the United Nations desert camp for two years in northern Syria after being forced out of Baghdad — arrived last week, reuniting with the Abo-Nofal family, which arrived about two months ago. The Abo-Nofals, who lost relatives and endured threats following the war in Iraq, had fled to the Syrian border. They spent the past four years in the refugee camp, which Syria is threatening to close. That would have forced the family back to Iraq.The chaos in Syria started about a year ago.An Arab uprising that began in Tunisia reached Syria when residents of a small southern city took to the streets to protest the torture of students who had put up anti-government graffiti. The government, under president Bashar al-Assad, responded with force. Demonstrations quickly spread across the country.The Comox Valley Refugee Support Committee had responded to pleas from the UN High Commission for Refugees and from the Canadian Embassy in Syria, desperate for sponsors for refugee families that had been approved to come to Canada. Nanaimo, Ladysmith and other Canadian locales have also sponsored families.Ali and Laila Abo-Nofal and their three daughters — Rana, six; Mariam, 10, and Reem, 16 — are learning English through North Island College and an English as a second language tutor.The Al Halaaqs, whose seven children range from seven to 18 years, will rent a home in Comox. Various individuals and businesses have donated time, money and goods — including furnishings and a van — to help the families get a start on their new life.Courtenay Home Depot donated a kitchen unit.The committee is still looking for a computer and laptop, winter clothing and toys. Clothing and toys can be dropped off at Comox United Church Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please label items Refugee Family. For more information, call Bev at 250-941-6326.The committee, which continues to fundraise, requires an additional $20,000 to cover the Al Halaaqs’ living costs for a year. Cheques can be made out to Comox United Church with Refugee Fund on the memo line at the bottom. Please drop off or mail to:Comox United Church, 250 Beach Dr., Comox, B.C. V9M 1P9. For more information, e-mail cvrefugees@yahoo.ca, or check www.cvrefugeesupport.blogspot.com. reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record