The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) and its members are pleased to announce that we have received $100,000 through CALD Communities Taskforce funding to support international students, refugee communities and families during the COVID-19 pandemics. RCAA established RCAA COVID-19 Relief Taskforce early this year and has distributed over 12 tonnes of food and 7000 masks to international students, refugees, and asylum seekers across metro Melbourne. We are pleased to see that the Victorian government has recognised the importance of strengthening refugees’ communities to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Mr Juma Piri Piri, RCAA Chairperson thanked the Victorian government for leading the way and setting an example to other States and Territories government. This funding is a testimony of a government that truly listen and response to community initiatives and programs that meet the immediate needs of refugee communities.” he added. Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport and Minister for Youth, Hon Ros Spence MP said “the Andrews Labor Government is proud to support refugee’s communities’ work by providing $100,000 through the CALD Communities Taskforce to the Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA)”. This acknowledgement of incredible volunteers at the Refugee Communities Association of Australia who are providing support to international students, refugees and asylum seekers in a time of great need”, said the Minister. A 10-year-old Iraqi girl and her family who are survivors of ISIS captivity, and now call Melbourne home said, “compassion and resilience come in many forms and grateful that the family have received much-needed support from the Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) during the coronavirus pandemic”. Vivienne Nguyen, the Chairperson of Victorian Multicultural Commission said, this COVID-19 does not discriminate, and it is great to see Refugees Communities Association of Australia banding together to support vulnerable members of the community”. Elijah Buol OAM said, “a responsive government does not only underscore its promises but also delivers on those promises including immediate response to the needs of the vulnerable people in the community”. “Building an inclusive society requires a government and its people to extend their support to those who need our support the most in our community”, said, RCAA Patron, Huss Mustafa OAM. RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every states 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: [email protected]

The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) and its members welcomes the Federal Government plan on social cohesion and combatting violence against women and children. Undoubtedly, the Federal Budget 2020 budget is about economic recovery by supporting economic demand and ensuring that the recovery remains on pathway. RCAA is pleased to see that the government has recognised the importance of Australia’s social cohesion and the impact of violence against women and children. RCAA believes that as all Australians move into the future, we need to focus on building social inclusion and a sense of common vision in attaining united and harmonious society that is active, vibrant, and connected to itself. In a joint media release, Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs said “the 2020-21 Budget has allocated $62.8 million to support Australia’s social cohesion and ensure the values and institutions that unite us as Australians remain strong”. RCAA echoes the same message and believes that social cohesion cannot be realised without strengthening institutions that promote a sense of togetherness and equally Australians. We believe that social cohesion is a glue that makes us strongly unique and allows us to focus on what unites us. The power of our vibrant multicultural Australia is personified in strengthening our social inclusion that bonds all Australians together within their diversities” said Elijah Buol OAM, Executive Director. RCAA thanks the Morrison’s government for the announcement of 10 new additional positions for Ethnic Liaison Officers who speak other languages rather than English to support the refugee communities and strengthen social cohesion. This was announced by Hon Alan Tudge MP at the Federal Post Budget 2020 Briefing for multicultural community leaders. RCAA always maintains and advocates for a healthy community where women and children are free from any form of violence. We are pleased to see that combatting violence against women and children is a top priority of the Government in this budget. It is always the dream and wish of refugee communities and their members to live in an environment free from violence. RCAA Deputy Chairperson, Nasiba Akram said, “as a woman, I applauded the government for making combating violence against women and children a top priority because a better society with a healthier future is a society where women and children are free from violence”. RCAA is also concerned about the reduction of quota in Australia’s Humanitarian Program to 13,750 places. There are many refugees in camps from all parts of the world who need protection and resettlement but reducing the quota in Australia’s Humanitarian program limited the protection. Australia has always and continues to extend its humanitarian support to those who are prosecuted and need our protection and this well-known Australians generosity should be extended by increasing the quota in the Australia’s Humanitarian Program rather reducing it”, Mr Juma Piri Piri, RCAA Chairperson. RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every states 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: [email protected]  

The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) congratulates Bwe Thay for assuming the position of Deputy Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. RCAA would like to thank the Victoria Government for the appointment of Mr Thay who have extensive expertise and in-depth knowledge and issues challenging the multicultural communities, particularly in the space of new and emerging communities and recently arrived refugees and migrants. RCAA Chairperson Juma Piri Piri said, “I am immensely proud for the choice made by the Victoria Government to appoint Mr Thay as deputy chair who is RCCA founding member and advisor. Mr Thay’s contribution to refugee communities through RCAA, particularly in RCAA COVID-19 Relief Taskforce has made significant contribution to refugees, Asylum Seekers and international students affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Thay a refugee who arrived in Australia in 2009 has been serving as a VMC Commissioner since September last year and has been a member of the VMC Eastern Metropolitan Regional Advisory Council since 2017. Mr Thay Said, “he is very proud as former refugee for the opportunity to be appointed as the Deputy Chairperson of Victoria Multicultural Commission and this shows the greatness and uniqueness of our multicultural Australia”. Victoria’s Premier, Hon Daniel Andrews MP said that “Mr Thay will support Chair Vivienne Nguyen in steering the Commission and working to identify and address issues faced by Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities”. Elijah Buol OAM said, “building an inclusive and a harmonious Australia where everyone belongs requires us to empower and give opportunities to members of refugee and migrants community in the decision-making positions”. I am pleased to acknowledge that VMC is always led by former refugees and wholeheartedly thank the Victoria government for setting an example to other States and Territories” he said. Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Hon Ros Spence MP, “I’m pleased to be welcoming Bwe as the deputy chair of the Commission, where I know he will continue to be a strong advocate for people from diverse backgrounds”. VMC Chair Vivienne Nguyen, “I look forward to working with Bwe to deliver a range of initiatives that achieve positive outcomes for culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse Victorians – and to foster harmony and understanding between communities.” RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every states and territory as a unified peak national body that advocates for people of refugee background with lived experience in Australia. RCAA looks forward to continuing to work with Victoria Multicultural Commission and Mr Thay in his new role. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]