Refugee Family Reunification Trust

The Suzanne Aubert Compassion Centre has worked with the RFRT this year to help raise the airfares to reunite a refugee family with whom Sister Rachel works closely. This family come from Ethiopia and have been separated for seven years. The Refugee Family Reunification Trust raised about $10,000 to meet the costs of bringing the family together and it is hoped that final immigration clearances will allow the family to be reunited in November.

The Refugee Family Reunification Trust was established in 2001 and raises funds to financially assist refugees in Wellington with the costs associated with bringing qualifying family members to join them in New Zealand. Many of these families have been living in refugee camps in Africa for many years, in appalling circumstances. A total of 62 refugee families have been helped with the costs directly associated with bringing their families to New Zealand since the Trust was established.

From left to right - Sr Margaret Mary, Amanda Calder, Sr Rachel

For many refugees, the high costs associated with the immigration process act as an effective barrier to family reunion. The cost of the medical reports and application fees, plus the eventual costs of the airfares to bring eligible family members to New Zealand, are beyond the means of many refugees, who have themselves come to New Zealand with nothing. Concern for family overseas often impacts negatively on the mental and physical health of refugees, and compromises their ability to successfully resettle here. Often the families overseas are in danger from war and unrest, and are living in extreme poverty. Even in refugee camps, people do not have enough food or medical care, and their relatives in New Zealand are deeply affected.

As a measure of the effectiveness of the Trust, a psychologist at Refugees As Survivors Centre made the following observation: “The Refugee Family Reunification Trust has made a tremendous contribution to refugee communities in Wellington, and has proved invaluable to professionals working with refugee families. By providing financial assistance at a time of great need, the Trust brings hopes and dreams into reality. By supporting refugee families in such a practical way, there can be no doubt that the Trust is significantly improving the quality of life of refugees and their mental health and well-being.”

The Compassion Centre nominated the Refugee Family Reunification Trust again this year in the Health and Wellbeing Category of the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards. Compassion Centre were thrilled that the RFRT won this award both at the Wellington level and at the regional level. Amanda Calder, chairperson of the Trust, has worked tirelessly to assist refugee families in Wellington for many years and the Sisters are delighted that her work has been recognised in this way. The Refugee Family Reunification Trust can be contacted on 475 7994 or acalder@xtra.co.nz