Interior Health area sees approximately 11,000 newcomers each year.
Between Nov. 4, 2015, and April 24, 2016, 135 Syrian refugees settled in eight Interior Health communities: 22 in Kamloops; 68 in Kelowna; four in Naramata; seven in Oliver; five in Penticton; 11 in Summerland; 11 in Salmon Arm; and seven in Vernon.
Of these, 47 were government assisted refugees who receive financial assistance and support from the federal government.
The remaining 88 were privately sponsored by churches and community groups.
Between January and April 2016, Kelowna, Kamloops and Vernon primary care centres saw 91 Syrian refugees.
One hundred per cent of these required the services of an interpreter.
Interior Health’s refugee and newcomer webpage features resources such as the Newcomer Clinical Care Pathway, local provider lists and other tools to support front-line workers who are caring for refugees across Interior Health.
Between December 2015 and May 26, 2015, the refugee and newcomer webpage received 2,810 page views from within the province.