Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) and its members welcome the announcement made by Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke. RCAA applauds the Australian Government commitment for extending humanitarian arm to women, children and vulnerable people who have and are facing significant obstacles during this terrible time. Hon Alex Hawke said, Australian Government will provide at least 15,000 places for Afghan nationals, through our Humanitarian and Family Visa Program over four years. This includes 10,000 places for Afghan nationals within Australia’s existing Humanitarian Program and at least 5,000 visas within the Family stream. Former Refugee and Non-Executive Director Mr Elijah Buol OAM said “Australian immigration brings hope to those who have lost hopes and healings to those whom their spirit is wounded by trauma and experiences of wars or prosecutions and welcomes this decision as a greater gesture to humanity for all”. RCAA Deputy Chairperson and Leader in the Afghan Australian community, Nasiba Akram Haidary said, “this is a great news to me, my family and many Afghans in Australia. As a women and first political asylum seeker from Afghanistan to Australia, I walk in their shoes and believe that this announcement and commitment brings hope and healing to many members of Afghan Community in Australia,” said Mrs Haidary. “We are pleased that the government has listened to refugee communities calls to grant more visas to Afghans and those in Afghanistan who supported our veterans during the Coalition missions” said Mr Juma Piri Piri, RCAA Chairperson. Mr Juma added, “this announcement is an example of responsive government to the needs of vulnerable people across the world who need our humanitarian support the most. Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) is a peak body that is led for refugee, with refugee, by refugee, with the vision to provide a national voice for all people of refugee background with lived experience and the organisations representing them in Australia. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email.

Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) and its members stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, Australian Afghan communities and Australian Veterans at these heartbreaking days. RCAA is especially concerned about the situation of Afghans who now face the very real prospect of becoming refugee and vulnerable because of current situation. RCAA members understand the horror of war and walk in the shoes of the people of Afghanistan. RCAA stands in solidarity with Afghan women, children and vulnerable people who have and are facing significant obstacles during their painful time. RCAA Deputy Chairperson, Nasiba Akram Haidari said, “this is deeply a distressing time for me, my family and many Afghans in Australia and across the world. As a women and first political asylum seeker from Afghanistan to Australia, I feel the pain”. “Considering the current situation, I would like to call on the Australian government that there is immediate need for a safe passage for Afghans who are the relatives of the Australian citizens and those who worked with Australian NGOs, and they are in danger.” “I call on the Australian government for organising immediate humanitarian aid, such as food, water, shelter for internally displace people.” Said Ms Haidari Mr Juma Piri Piri, Chairperson of RCAA said “RCAA acknowledges the support the Australia government has provided to Australians and visa holders but more needs to be done”. “We appeal to the government to provide humanitarian assistance and grant permanent resident visas to temporary visa holders in Australia and those in Afghanistan who supported our veterans during the Coalition missions in the last 20 years” said Piri. RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every state and territory as a unified peak national body that advocates for people of refugee background with lived experience in Australia. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email.  

The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) and members congratulate Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission for being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) at the Queens Honours Awards for service to multiculturalism in Australia. RCAA acknowledges Vivienne Nguyen’s tireless contribution and advocacy to multiculturalism in Victoria. RCAA is enormously proud and thank Vivienne Nguyen AM for building an inclusive and cohesive society Victoria. RCAA Chairperson, Mr Juma Piri Piri said “Vivienne Nguyen is a true champion of multiculturalism who goes above and beyond multicultural community and RCAA is pleased to see this great work is reflected”. RCAA Patron, Mr Huss Mustafa OAM said “he couldn’t think of a more fitting honour for Vivienne Nguyen, Chairperson Victorian Multicultural Commission than being acknowledged on Queens Birthday’s Honours list and awarded the Member of the Order of Australia AM. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Vivienne for immense contribution to the Multicultural Community of Victoria,” said Mr Mustafa. RCAA Executive Director, Mr Elijah Buol OAM, said, ‘Ms Nguyen’s tireless service to the multicultural community in Victoria is an indication of enormous contributions made by migrants and refugees in Australia”. “They positively touch lives of many generations and build inclusive communities and Vivienne Nguyen AM continues to just do that” said Mr Buol. RCAA and its members congratulate and wish Vivienne Nguyen AM as she continues to serve and advocate on issues that matter to all Australians and disadvantaged communities. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]