New Brunswick's three largest cities are coping as best they can with the influx of Syrian refugees, but there are indications they need more help.



Moncton has settled 158 newcomers, with more arriving daily, and the Saint John YMCA is reporting 177 refugees, with another 48 on the way. Mario Leon repairs and paints some of the donated furniture. (CBC) The Multicultural Association of Fredericton says that city will have welcomed 267 refugees by the weekend.Moncton has settled 158 newcomers, with more arriving daily, and the Saint John YMCA is reporting 177 refugees, with another 48 on the way.

That's over 600 people so far, not even halfway to New Brunswick's promise of accepting 1,500.

Sponsored families often receive the most support, provided with furnished apartments and a bevy of people to help them get accustomed to their new surroundings.

However, the majority of the refugees are government sponsored and they're only housed temporarily. They must find their own accommodations and furnishings, which is where the Fredericton warehouse comes in.

All three cities report needing more donations of beds, microwaves, sofas and even diapers. Volunteers are also needed, people such as Fredericton's Mario Leon, who repairs and paints some of the donated furniture, to "try to give to the Syrian people, furniture in a good shape, and a good look," he said.

Amer Aboo and his wife and child are settling into a new life in Fredericton. (CBC) Leon is one of 860 volunteers in the province, donating their time to do everything from picking up furniture to pairing with a family.

Amer Aboo and his wife and child were paired with the Lima-Upham family as part of the Fredericton First Friends program run by the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, for which Aboo is grateful.

"My friends and his family, it's really good. Nice," he said.

Miguel De Gante drives around Fredericton picking up donated furniture and delivers it to newcomers. (CBC) Miguel De Gante is also volunteering, helping refugees in Fredericton by delivering furniture to their new homes.

"In these people I can see scared faces, sometime sad faces. But now I can see the difference. People smile. Kids running away everywhere, play, and this is something you cannot pay for nothing," he said.