The nationwide project to create 100 Groups in 100 Days has been a huge success, and the count has been extended to August 31 to get over the line.
The campaign by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) achieved 79 new Community Supporter Groups (CSGs) across Australia, plus 12 existing groups committing to welcome refugee newcomers again.
Earlier this year, the CRSA team received a large new wave of UNHCR-referred refugee newcomers waiting to be matched with local community groups. So, they set their team, stakeholders and local communities across the country the challenge to help sign up 100 new support groups in the 100 days leading up to World Refugee Week.
The success of the campaign has prompted CRSA to extend the count until August 31 with the aim to push that final number up to 100.
There are an estimated 32.5 million refugees in the world, and the government intends to gradually increase its community sponsored and other complementary places to 10,000, as stated at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
In February this year, 220 community groups were registered and 115 refugee households were matched with the groups. The households were settled in locations across all states, 50 percent in rural areas and 50 percent in metropolitan areas.
The CRSA team is in contact with a new wave of UNHCR-referred refugees – families and individuals currently overseas that are waiting to be matched with local support groups.
Groups are made up of five or more adults from a local area who can commit to supporting a refugee household for the first 12 months of their resettlement.
So, how can you get involved?
- Contact Ballina Region for Refugees to learn more about joining a group and supporting a refugee household.
- Find other people in your community who want to form a group with you. Check out this ‘find a group’ Facebook page if you need help with this.
- If you have formed a group and are ready to get involved, submit an intention to apply and start preparing to welcome!
Taking the next step is simple, and the CRSA team will guide you through each step of the way.
Ballina Region for Refugees can help with any local support your group needs to form a group and welcome a refugee household.
This is your moment to make a difference to the global refugee crisis through meaningful and rewarding local action.
For more information email BR4R President Marilyn Leeks