Montreal refugee centres need more winter clothing donations to help asylum seekers

The Refugee Centre in Montreal is asking Montrealers to donate boots and jackets to help refugees and asylum seekers brace for the city’s harsh winter weather.

The winter clothing drive runs until Feb. 10 at the centre located on 1610 Ste-Catherine St. W.

“We don’t have a lot of winter jackets. We don’t have a lot of winter boots. These are the bread and butter of winter gear for people to survive outside,” said Alina Murad, advocacy and media relations coordinator with The Refugee Centre.

“Right now, in the winter, with an influx of people coming from warmer climates, we definitely do need to meet the need for proper clothing and gearing up for winter.”

Over a hundred people walk through their doors every day since the drive began.

“We have a lineup every morning and we’re talking about children who don’t have any winter clothing at all. Today, a baby came with nothing but a little small sweater,” said Abdulla Daoud, executive director of the Refugee Centre.

“Winter clothing is tough to go by. We fill up and go out of stock almost on a daily basis. So, we’re seeing that a lot of clients are coming in, don’t even have winter boots, don’t have gloves, don’t have scarves. Their ears are bloodshot red. They have no hats on. So, it’s important that we at least meet some of the basic necessities and demands of our clients.”

Providing legal aid is their main service. But after Fritznel Richard, an asylum seeker from Haiti, was found dead of hypothermia at Roxham Road last month, the Refugee Centre wanted to do its part to help avoid similar tragedies in the future.

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“Migrants cannot support themselves. He was not able to purchase winter clothes for his journey. He was not able to accomplish his journey in a safe way. That’s where things like winter clothes come in,” said Murad.

The demand for winter clothes displays a bigger issue asylum seekers are facing in Montreal.

“There’s a huge wait time for work permits. And without this, migrants are not able to afford clothing for themselves,” said Murad.

Daoud adding, “We’re trying to fix it on a bureaucratic end as well. But in the meantime, the band-aid that we can do is at least offer winter clothing. We can offer them supplies so that they can get through it and get through the harsh winter.”

Although the drive ends this Friday, the centre is open to clothing donations throughout the year.