N.L. government funding Syrian refugee coordinator

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is providing tens of thousands of dollars to help Syrian refugees in the province.

In a news release Tuesday, the province said it is giving the Association for New Canadians $50,000 to assist people fleeing Syria.

Most of the money will be used to hire a refugee sponsorship coordinator that would assist refugee families and their sponsors.

"Like all Canadians, we are disturbed by the images that are appearing in the media and we will continue to work with our Federal Government partners to do whatever we can to help," said Advanced Education and Skills Minister Clyde Jackman in a statement. 

The funds may also be used, the statement said, to help settle refugees as they arrive in the province. 

The federal government has allowed the province to assist 155 refugees to come to Newfoundland and Labrador. The provincial government has asked that the number be increased. 

The Association for New Canadians said it can support up to 250 government-assisted refugees annually.