The Rohingya Centre was founded in 2022 in response to an urgent and growing need within the Waterloo Region. As Canada expanded its humanitarian commitments, the region became home to a rapidly increasing number of Rohingya refugees—now exceeding 3,000 individuals, with more families continuing to arrive each year. While this growth reflects hope and new beginnings, it also brings complex challenges for a community that has endured genocide, forced displacement, and generations of marginalization.

Many Rohingya newcomers arrive with limited formal education, language barriers, and little familiarity with digital tools or Canadian systems. They often carry deep trauma while trying to rebuild their lives in an entirely new environment. Although Waterloo Region offers a strong network of settlement and social services, these systems were not designed with the unique linguistic, cultural, and historical realities of the Rohingya community in mind. As a result, many families struggled to access the support they needed at critical moments.

The Rohingya Centre was born out of this gap—not as an addition to existing services, but as a necessary bridge between the community and the systems meant to support them. Established by members of the Rohingya community themselves, the Centre provides a trusted, culturally informed entry point where Rohingya-speaking staff offer immediate assistance, assess urgent needs, and guide individuals and families through complex processes.

Grounded in our mission to provide comprehensive, culturally responsive support, we work collaboratively with partners and volunteers to ensure that no one is left behind. From housing and healthcare to education, legal support, and settlement services, the Centre connects newcomers to the resources they need while empowering them to build independence and confidence.

More than a service provider, the Rohingya Centre is a community anchor—nurturing inclusion, restoring dignity, and creating pathways for Rohingya and newcomer communities to thrive in Canadian society.