Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) welcomes the Albanese government decision to allow Murugappan family to return to Biloela on bridging visas. As a peak body for refugee communities, we thanked Australian government under Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP for choosing humanity over despair. Acting Interim Home Affairs Minister, Jim Chalmers MP said, “the family would reside lawfully in the community while they work to resolve their immigration status”. Refugee Communities Association Deputy Chairperson, Ms Nasiba Akram said, “this announcement is a true gift for humanity and act of true compassion”. Refugee Communities and their members also applauded the community of Biloela for exemplifying to all Australians that we are a welcoming people and a welcoming country. Biloela is a great Australian story of a welcoming community! Former Refugee and Queenslander Mr Elijah Buol OAM, said, “our migration is about bringing hope, not despair and I wholeheartedly thanked Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese for showing real leadership with compassion”. RCAA is a peak body and voice for all people of refugee backgrounds and their organisations in Australia. RCAA’s motto is to work for Refugees, with Refugees, by Refugees. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]

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.