Stepping up efforts during a pandemic

During these extraordinary times much of Australia remains in lockdown, with Greater Sydney in its eleventh week. Stories of struggle and pain are interspersed with those of resilience and hope.

One diaspora leader in Canterbury-Bankstown recently told us about bringing together a group of volunteers to assist eligible members of the community with limited English language skills to apply for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

Another spoke of the efforts of the community to pool funds, buy groceries, and deliver home cooked meals for those who were financially vulnerable or too unwell to shop or cook. Diaspora networks, local community groups, Councils, healthcare workers, and volunteers have played such a vital role in keeping people safe and healthy at this time.

JRS Australia has seen a significant increase in demand for support. The average number of weekly referrals to JRS Australia’s intake service during Sydney’s eleven weeks of lockdown has increased by 43% from the eleven weeks prior.

Survey data released by JRS Australia and Western Sydney University showed that approximately a third of respondents reported having difficulty paying rent (36%) and electricity bills (34%) in the preceding twelve months, as 45% also ran out of food in the preceding three months.

JRS Australia is now providing emergency financial support to hundreds of families in order to help them pay rent, utilities, medications, and food. Our specialist case workers are also responding daily to mental and physical health emergencies, and situations of domestic and family violence.

JRS Australia’s partnership with NSW Health to run vaccination clinics continues. Close to 250 people, many in highly vulnerable and marginalised situations have now received jabs, with more than fifty people attending last Friday’s clinic.

Last but not least, JRS Australia stands together with civil society in Sydney, and other diverse communities in calling for NSW’s citizens to be treated fairly and with dignity in the context of the current public health crisis. 

The unfolding crisis in Afghanistan has been front and centre of JRS Australia’s mission in the last three weeks.

We are committed to supporting Afghan refugees in need with practical support, technical advice, and a voice in political, faith, and media arenas. 

Practically, JRS Australia has set up a triage system to assess and respond to the significant number of phone calls, emails, and social media messages from people in Afghanistan and in Australia. Depending on the circumstances of the person in contact, JRS Australia has been making relevant referrals to legal services, stakeholders overseas, and to DFAT hotlines.

JRS Australia's advocacy response began with a snap meeting on Monday 16 August in Sydney, at which three diaspora leaders, Zaki Haidari, Hava Rezaie, and Hayat Akbari, issued a powerful call to action for Australians to remember and support Afghans in their time of need.

Diaspora leaders have subsequently ensured that the issues remain on the agenda, meeting parliamentarians and speaking publicly about the unfolding crisis in the media.

JRS Australia will continue our policy and advocacy efforts as an expert organisation, as co-chair of the Catholic Alliance of People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA), and as a part of the Christians United for Afghanistan campaign. 

Our work aligns and takes inspiration from the significant outpouring of solidarity and support from Catholic parishes, schools, NGOs, and other partners, and from catholic leadership. 

Archbishop Mark Coleridge, President of the Australian Catholic Bishop Conference wrote to the Prime Minister noting "an outpouring of concern for the people of Afghanistan and calling for Australia to do more to protect refugees. 

Bishop Vincent Long, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service has written powerfully in Eureka Street of the our moral duty towards Afghan refugees.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has launched a special appeal in support of people from Afghanistan. 

Speak up with us

Computers for refugees and people seeking asylum

The JRS Australia Employment Program is currently accepting device donations to help in assisting refugees and people seeking asylum find meaningful work. 

Laptops and computers are a lifeline for so many people at the moment, ensuring that they can communicate with loved ones overseas, access work and training opportunities, and connect with important services. 

We are able to accept: 

• Laptops up to 5 years old
• MacBooks up to 7 years old

For more information, click the button below or email Tamana Mirzada, Employment Program Manager tamana.mirzada@jrs.org.au