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.