As the world marks World Refugee Day on Tuesday, a group of Mudjimba locals are getting ready to welcome a refugee family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who arrive on the Sunshine Coast in July.
The family of eight, who have been living in a refugee camp in Kenya for the past 10 years, is relocating to the Sunshine Coast through the federal government’s Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot Programme.
Under this pilot, groups of five or more ordinary Australians can sponsor a family who are referred by the UNHCR as refugees in urgent need of resettlement. The program is run by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, a registered charity with DGR status.
The Sunshine Coast Refugee Friendship Group is a mix of local Mudjimba and Coolum people with one thing in common: they are horrified by the plight of refugees and want to do something that makes a difference.
Andrew Merry, a member of the Sunshine Coast group, says getting ready to welcome the family’s arrival takes a lot of planning.
“It’s such a privilege to welcome this family, who has experienced so much uncertainty and trauma, to the beautiful Sunshine Coast and be part of their journey as they settle in here,“ Andrew said.
“We’re so excited to take positive, practical action to show the Australian community’s spirit and generosity to this family, who is escaping a situation of conflict and insecurity that is hard for many of us to even imagine.”
The group will support the family for their first 12 months on the Sunshine Coast. This includes organising temporary accommodation, furniture and household goods, and helping to secure a long-term home after that. In the first few weeks, they will help them open bank accounts, buy new clothes, navigate public transport, shop at the supermarket and apply for government services.
Over the next year, the Sunshine Coast Refugee Friendship Group will help the family with whatever they need, whether it’s finding jobs, learning English, understanding the education system, getting licences to drive or joining sports and activities.
The group provides daily support for the family practically, emotionally and financially over the course of the year and right now, the group is fundraising and looking for assistance from the local community.
Your generous support will help them provide temporary accommodation, transport, temporary income support, essential goods on arrival and other basic needs. Donations are welcome at shoutforgood.com/fundraisers/sunshinecoastrefugeefriendshipgroup
The most critical need is a long-term rental property. If you or someone you know may be able to help secure a home for this family, reach out to Andrew Merry on 0409 609 181.
