Red Cross urges action on commitment to double the refugee quota
New Zealand Red Cross is pleased to hear that the new government’s policy is to double New Zealand’s refugee quota, and
the organisation is urging that the change be implemented swiftly.
The announcement is particularly timely given the worsening situation for millions of people worldwide who have been,
and continue to be, forced from their country due to violence and persecution.
In the past eight weeks alone we’ve seen more than 600,000 people cross the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh, fleeing
violence. The situation is dire, with escalating health needs and strained resources.
Red Cross knows that effective humanitarian aid requires the ability to respond quickly and would therefore like to see
the increase implemented as quickly as possible.
“We are confident in our capacity to support an increase in resettlement numbers, we have an amazing group of New
Zealanders ready to volunteer and can upscale quickly to respond to the humanitarian need,” says Niamh Lawless, New
Zealand Red Cross Secretary-General.
New Zealand Red Cross will continue to recruit voluntary refugee support workers, who help families become familiar with
New Zealand systems such as enrolling in schools, navigating public transport and setting up a bank account, as well as
helping new Kiwis connect with their local community.
For more information about the programme and how to volunteer visit www.redcross.org.nz/refugee
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