The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) welcomes the Federal Government changes to increase access to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge MP announced changes including the removal of the 5-year limit in which eligible adult migrants and refugee can access the scheme. Over the years, our communities and members indicated to us that learning English increases their opportunities and build their level of confidence to participate and involve in greatness that Australia offers. Mr Piri Piri, chairperson of RCAA said “learning English languages is not an only factor of successful settlement for refugees and migrants but an important aspect of a successful settlement of refugees and migrants to participate and we applauded these flexible changes”. RCAA is looking forward to work with the Federal government on the details of the proposed measures”, he said. Also, RCAA and its members are pleased that the government has acknowledged a long overdue call. We believe refugee and migrant communities contribute enormously to Australia society in many ways. Hakeem al-Araibi, Australian Footballer and RCAA Patron said, “learning English is a pathway to a successful journey of healing and meaningful integration for refugees and migrants’ communities into a diverse and vibrant multicultural Australia”. Parsu Sharma Luital JP, Former Refugee and RCAA General Secretary said, “Flexible learning of English has allowed members of newly resettled Bhutanese communities to be productive members of Australia’s family and grateful that the government has finally realised the significant of flexible English language learning”. RCAA cautiously welcomes the Government announced changes to the citizenship test Australian which will include new questions on Australian values, and the Australian Values Statement. RCAA believe that our unique values of respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, and a spirit of fairness that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and concern for each other is the anchor and glue that make us and Australia great and successful immigration story in the world. Elijah Buol OAM, RCAA Executive Director said, “Citizenship is our identity and pride that bonds us together and advances Australia-fair which we need to reflect in our deeds and actions all the time and the government needs to ensure that these changes shouldn’t become a barrier for people to get citizenship”. “They are wide-reaching ingredients which makes us great and uniquely Australians” he said. 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]

RCAA COVID-19 Relief Taskforce established in collaboration between the Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) and Help Himalayan Youth Foundation (HHYF) has continued food distribution to refugee communities, Asylum Seekers and international students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The RCAA is an independent refugee-led peak national advocacy organisation providing a unified voice for people with a lived refugee experience in Australia. RCAA Chairperson Juma Piri Piri said, “We are very humbled and touched by the appreciation, trust and hope refugee communities and international students have shown to us for our small contribution when they are doing tough.” Since the start of the relief program, RCAA COVID-19 Relief Taskforce distributed over 2 tons of food packages, each package includes essential food items to last for ten days to Assyrian/Chaldean, Iranian, Bhutanese, Burmese and Rohingya Asylum Seekers families including Nepali, Nigerian and Vietnamese international students. This initiative has brought established refugee communities to support refugees from new and emerging communities together and empower each other. RCAA would like to acknowledge kind and generous contribution from Vietnamese Community members, refugee businesses and wider Australian communities. While receiving a gift of vouchers and welcoming card from 14 year old Kyana Bui, a daughter of a former Vietnamese refugee, an ISIS survivor, ten year old Chrestina Obada said, ‘ she was very empowered by the generosity and support and pleased to see that refugee communities are helping their own at time when they need support the most’. Thanks to the RCAA COVID-19 Taskforce Relief Committee members, Elijah Buol OAM, Parsu Sharma- Luital JP, Juma Piri Piri, Bwe Thay and Nasiba Akram for their hard work and commitment to create a better place for our community members. Also, thanks to Co-patrons Huss Mustafa OAM, Hakeem al-Arabi, Inspector Chris Allen, Victoria Police and Victorian Multicultural Commission for helping with relief distribution. Thank you to Muslim Aid Australia for adding a good donation to the relief package. ‘In life there is no greater joy than knowing that fellow former refugees and the organisation that you belong to, have helped someone in a time of need’ said Huss Mustafa OAM, a former refugee. Please join us and let’s support our brothers and sisters in need. For donations, financial or in-kind, please visit our website www.rcaa.tempurl.host for details or contact RCAA General Secretary, Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected].

The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) in partnership with Help Himalayan Youth Foundation (HHYF) has provided basic food items to support 40 Rohingya Asylum Seeker families during Ramadan. These Asylum Seekers are struggling to provide basic food for their families during the Holy month of fasting and are not eligible to receive any government or other support during the COVID-19 crisis. The RCAA is an independent refugee-led peak national advocacy organisation providing a unified voice for people with a lived refugee experience in Australia. RCAA is active in every Australian state and territory. It has established the RCAA COVID-19 Relief Taskforce to support Asylum Seekers and other temporary visa holders and international students affected by the pandemic. The RCAA has so far used its own savings and contributions from committee members to provide the support. RCAA Chairperson Juma Piri Piri said “If any fellow Australians are able to help us support vulnerable Asylum Seekers at this time, please contact us so we can make a difference together.” Mr Piri Piri said, “From day one, the RCCA has been committed and dedicated to work with grassroot refugee communities, often left out, vulnerable and neglected. I am very proud my team has made a small difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable families overlooked by the system. At this unprecedented time of uncertainty, I urge fellow Australians to think of those temporary visa holders and Asylum Seekers with no job or income, who depend entirely on acts of kindness. Any contribution you can make will contribute to the greater cause of humanity.” While receiving a food package from the RCAA, Faisel Mohammad, Chairman of the Australian Burmese Rohingya Organisation (ABRO), said “This relief food package, especially during Holy month of Ramadan means a lot to our community. As Rohingyas we are forgotten people, and we thank the RCAA for supporting our community at this critical time.” ABRO spokesperson Aung Soe (Ro Habib) said, “We have about 60 to 70 Rohingya Asylum Seekers in Victoria on bridging visas who are not eligible for any kind of government support. These families have no job and income, and I am seeking financial and other support for them, particularly during Ramadan.” “I request RCAA raise our issue with Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Minister and urge him to finalise these cases and provide protection visas so that they are eligible for support. I thank RCAA for providing temporary relief for my people and supporting refugee communities. As an organisation formed by refugees with lived experience RCAA will understand the exact issues of refugees better than any other,” said Aung Soe. Ms Hazara, also a Rohingya Asylum Seeker said, “I will do 1000 Duwa (Pray 1000 times) for RCAA for coming to my door with food when I don’t have enough to feed my family in the most important religious time in my faith. I will use all this food to break our Ramadan fasting as long as it lasts.” Another Rohingya Asylum Seeker, Ms Begum said, “Until today no one has provided food like this to my family. We have no support from the government or Centrelink. This food will mean a lot to us, thank you RCAA and Rohingya leaders, she said.” Mr Piri Piri said, “While consulting our refugee communities across Australia during the COVID-19 crisis, we have also found a need for digital devices (tablets, laptops, smart phones) for students to study from home. Many families have only one or two devices but have around five or more family members who need individual devices to be able to study from home. I urge fellow Australians or organisations to donate if you have spare devices in your homes.” For donations, financial or in-kind, please visit our website www.rcaa.tempurl.host for details or contact RCAA General Secretary, Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected].