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]