Ministers Unveil New Products in Arabic for Emergency Preparedness Week

Arabic-speaking immigrants are getting help preparing emergency plans and emergency kits during Emergency Preparedness Week.

Today, May 3, Emergency Management Minister Zach Churchill and Immigration Minister Lena Diab unveiled Arabic translations of brochures on how to use 911, and how to prepare for emergencies.

Eight in 10 Canadians have implemented some form of precautionary measures to prepare for emergencies, but recent immigrants are far less likely to have an emergency plan or emergency kit in place.

"I want all Nova Scotians to be ready for emergencies," said Mr. Churchill. "By reaching out to new Arabic-speaking Nova Scotians in their own language we hope to increase their participation in emergency preparedness."

The theme for Emergency Preparedness Week 2016 is Plan. Prepare. Be Aware.

"As we continue to help our newest families settle into their new homes and communities, it is important to help them know what to do before and during emergencies," said Ms. Diab. "This information will be more comprehensible in Arabic and I thank EMO for taking the initiative to have it translated."

The province will work with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) to make printed Arabic brochures available to recent immigrants.

"It takes us all to look through the lens of our Syrian newcomers in our own context and community to find ways to demonstrate welcome," said ISANS Director of Operations Gerry Mills. "Through these Arabic translations, EMO is including our new Nova Scotians in their world. It's such a wonderful response and a great resource."

Information on emergency preparedness in English, French and Arabic is available at the EMO website: novascotia.ca/dma/emo/