Ottawa moving quickly to reunite Yazidi boy with mother in Winnipeg

A Winnipeg group that works withYazidirefugeessays it's been assured by federal officials that a boy recently rescued from ISIS will be reunited with his mother in Winnipeg.

"We have been in contact with [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada]and we have been assured the IRCC is expediting this case," saidBelle Jarniewski, who is a member of the Operation Ezra working group.

• Winnipeg Yazidi refugee learns her 12-year-old son is alive after rescue from ISIS

Last week, 12-year-oldEmad Mishko Tamowas rescued from ISIS after being held captive for nearly three years.

The Iraqi army posted photos of the boy on social media thatwere seen by his uncle, who is in a refugee camp in Iraq.

That is how the boy's mother,Nofa Zaghla, learned her son is alive. She had not seen him since they were captured by ISIS and separated in August 2014.

"This is a miracle. These things are so rare where we find out a child is still alive," Jarniewskisaid.

Operation Ezra has privately sponsored 41 Yazidis, from seven families, to come to Winnipeg. The group has raised half a million dollars to do so, andJarniewskisaid they are expecting 11 more refugees soon.

In a statement, an immigration spokesperson confirmed the department is aware of the boy's situation andis acting accordingly.

"All Yazidi cases are being expedited," Lisa Filippssaid."The government of Canada has already committed to welcoming1,200 survivors of Daesh[ISIS] and we are working with partners in the region to identify vulnerable Yazidi women and children and other survivors of Daesh and their family members."

NDPimmigration critic Jenny Kwanis calling on the Trudeau government to act quickly to reunitethe boy with his mother.

"If there ever was a humanitarian case, we have one right here, right now," said Kwan. "I think there should be no hesitation to take action immediately. The family has already suffered enough."

Immigration MinisterAhmedHussenwas unavailable for comment.