Assistance for a new start

Evacuees from Afghanistan welcome settlement support

Settlement Services International is delivering critical assistance under the Australian Government’s Humanitarian Settlement Program. By Violet Roumeliotis.

SINCE KABUL FELL TO THE TALIBAN on 15 August 2021, Australians have rallied to support people living in Afghanistan who were abruptly plunged into a state of uncertainty and fear. The situation in Afghanistan has been particularly distressing to those of us at Settlement Services International (SSI), as many of our staff, clients and volunteers have deep connections to the area. We sprang into action, joining with other humanitarian organisations, human rights groups and Afghan communities in Australia. Together we have advocated on behalf of Afghan refugees fleeing the violence in their homeland. SSI focused especially on those who were most vulnerable to the Taliban’s strict regime: minority groups, women and girls. SSI was then engaged to provide settlement services and case management support for Afghan arrivals in New South Wales. We worked with the refugees on arrival, then in hotel quarantine, and will continue to support them for up to 18 months in the local community. These vital measures were delivered under the Australian Government’s Humanitarian Settlement Program. We began providing this support while Greater Sydney was under strict Covid-19 lockdown. Many of our clients were families who had fled Afghanistan with just the clothes on their back.

Our humanitarian team stepped up to support these families during hotel quarantine, by confirming their needs and establishing their preferred settlement location within Australia. SSI also provided clothing and necessities like mobile phones, while conducting daily wellbeing checks in the refugees’ own languages. The outpouring of care and concern from our staff, the Australian community and our supporters was extraordinary. Donations ranged from culturally appropriate food and groceries, to gift cards and digital technology such as phones and laptops. All of these welcome resources went towards supporting the evacuees in transitioning toward life in Australia. One recipient of generous support from the Australian community was Khorsand Yousofzai, former coach of an Afghan women’s football team, who made Newcastle his home. Mr Yousofzai evacuated Kabul airport with his team, arriving in Melbourne in September. While he was relieved to have escaped Kabul during the Taliban takeover, he was saddened to have had to leave behind his loved ones.

Khorsand Yousofzai, former coach of an Afghan women’s football team, escaped his homeland with his soccer team but is increasingly worried about his wife, who was prevented from leaving Afghanistan. Image courtesy SSI

‘My wife came with me to Kabul airport, but unfortunately they didn’t let her enter with me,’ he said. ‘The team and the other players entered with me, but she wasn’t able to join us.’ Mr Yousofzai said that he contacts his wife back in Kabul every day, but her situation as a woman in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly dire. ‘She’s worried even to leave her place to go to work because, after six o’clock at night, women can’t go outside without a man, brother or husband’, he said. Mr Yousofzai was overwhelmed by the welcome he received from the local community in Newcastle. He is also grateful for the ongoing support that SSI has provided since he arrived. The Newcastle community raised money for gift card donations, allowing new Afghan arrivals to shop at local supermarkets and retailers. This generosity is typical of the overwhelmingly positive response that SSI has received from the wider community.

Violet Roumeliotis is the CEO of Settlement Services International. The museum has partnered with SSI to highlight and improve the situation of refugees newly arrived in Australia. The outpouring of care and concern from our staff, the Australian community and our supporters was extraordinary

Gift cards are still being accepted for Afghan evacuees. If you would like to assist, please visit ssi.org.au or call 1800 916 857.