Refugee Resettlement Programs & Services
Delivering Compassionate Support for Refugee Newcomers
Refugee Resettlement Services at ISANS support newly arrived Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) including those with medically complex needs and disabilities, through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) and integrated Housing & Health services. Through RAP, newcomers receive support with temporary accommodation, immediate orientation upon arrival, and assistance in identifying suitable housing options. The health navigation team provides comprehensive navigation and case management for GARs, supporting clients to access the healthcare system, coordinate care, and address complex medical needs when present. Together, the teams delivered trauma‑informed, culturally responsive support that promote dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging.
This year, RAP, housing, and health teams worked in close coordination to support highly vulnerable families, including a single mother with five children, one requiring twice-weekly dialysis and preparing for a kidney transplant. Seamless collaboration ensured timely care, stable housing, and continuous support.
ISANS strengthened a broad network of partnerships to provide coordinated, barrier-free services from day one. Collaboration with health providers, federal agencies, francophone organizations, educators, financial institutions, and internal teams created clear pathways to essential support.
Through its long-standing partnership with the Newcomer Health Clinic and Nova Scotia Health, ISANS delivered on-site vaccination clinics, administering over 800 vaccines to over 300 GARs. Clients benefited from interpretation, trauma-informed care, and early connection to the healthcare system often within their first week in Canada.
For clients with urgent medical needs, ISANS worked with Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) providers, Medavie Blue Cross, and IRCC to secure same-day approvals for personal care support, ensuring immediate and continuous care for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions.
ISANS also supported the arrival of 105 Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) and submitted 51 new applications sponsoring 91 refugees, facilitating future family reunifications and community sponsorships.
“When we came to Canada, it was both exciting and challenging for my family. At first, everything felt new and difficult to understand, and we felt completely lost. However, once I met my RAP coordinator, ISANS started supporting me from the beginning and helped our family step by step. We connected to a small Rohingya community in Halifax, which really helped my family not feel alone. We will always remember this experience and will teach our children to give back more to this country because we received support that was truly unexpected”, says Mohammad Tayeb.
Internally, enhanced coordination ensured smooth transitions from RAP to ongoing case management, with shared planning and communication preventing service gaps. Collaboration with Family Support and Early Childhood Education (ECE) teams provided wrap-around services, including child-minding, parenting support, and early development guidance.
Additional partnerships improved access to essential services, including expedited SIN processing through Service Canada, on-site banking support, francophone integration sessions with Immigration Francophone Nouvelle-Écosse (IFNE) and community partners, and monthly orientation sessions with the YMCA to connect newcomers with local programs and services.
Across all efforts, one principle remains clear: partnership drives successful resettlement. By working together, ISANS and its partners continue to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and thriving Nova Scotia.
414
government-assisted refugees (GARs) arrived in Halifax in 2025/26
125
permanent accommodation units secure
659
government assisted refugees and permanent residents supported by Health navigation and disability support program
245
privately sponsored refugees supported in their first year
51
applications submitted to sponsor
91
privately sponsored refugees