Syrian refugee family in Sudbury soon to be reunited with grandfather

The first familyof Syrian refugees to arrive in Sudbury heardsome good news Friday, when they learned the oldest member of the group is now on his way to join them.

The Qarqouz family, a mother, father and three children, were one relativeshort when they arrived at the Sudbury airport on New Year's Eve.

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The grandfather had been unable to complete the journey because of a passport issue, and was forced to stay behind in Beirut.

But Friday morning, the familyreceived word he is now headed to the Canada, said Joanne Ross with the St. Andrew's United Church refugee assistance committee in Sudbury.

"I am so happy to share with you the news that Canadian Immigration Canada sent this morning which is that grandpa,Hussein'sfather, is going to be put on a plane in Lebanon on Sunday," said Ross.

He is expected to arrive in Toronto Sunday evening and he will be flying to Sudbury on Monday, she said.

"We are so delighted, and so grateful, that they've been able to respond so quickly to reunite this family," said Ross.

TheQarqouzfamily had been living in a refugee camp in Lebanon for the last few years.