Hope does not disappoint, it lives in you

In the world today, there are more people who have had to leave their homes than at any other time in our history.  According to the United Nations at least 82.4 million people from around the world had been forced to flee their homes and estimated that global forced displacement had surpassed 84 million at mid-2021. Among them are nearly 26.4 million refugees, around half of whom are under 18 years of age.  There are also millions of stateless people who have been denied a nationality and have no access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement.  As a result of conflict or persecution, 1 in every 95 people on earth have fled their home.  

The decision to flee is never an easy one to make and for many there is no planning, no decision, they are forced out on a moment’s notice. What we know from history is that every war, every use of armed combat, every use of force against a country or people results in a humanitarian catastrophe. The victims are ordinary women, men and children. Some escape and become refugees.

According to the latest news from the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project, there are approximately 95,000 asylum seekers in Australia currently.  Of these, 30,000 have had asylum refused at both the initial application and upon review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal stage. Some do not have work rights and are not legally able to work.  The pandemic has had a significant impact on refugees and asylum seekers.  Asylum seekers living in the community on bridging visas and refugees who have been granted temporary protection visas are at risk if they lose their low income, insecure jobs as they are not eligible for welfare support such as the Jobseeker and JobKeeper payments.  

It is now the job of many charities and the community to provide the funding needed to help keep people from becoming homeless and destitute.

Many of us have been supporting refugees in whatever way we can by volunteering, donating etc.  The Parishes of Camberwell, Balwyn and Deepdene have been supporting the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) Donation Baskets on a monthly basis for over 20 years now.  From May 2022, the Parish of Surrey Hills Wattle Park will be joining this project.

On the first weekend of each month, donation baskets will be available in all our churches for your donations of non perishable foods, toiletries, cleaning products, washing powder, baby items, toiletries and other necessities on a monthly basis.  BASP continues to need our support.  Donations are not always about money, they may also include assistance with housing options, employment opportunities (full-time, part-time, casual), gift vouchers, travel and phone cards, groceries and much more. 

Our parishes are fortunate to have a number of partners in our support of asylum seekers and refugees including CatholicCare with whom we are now in our 6th year of partnership.

To learn more, to volunteer or to donate online visit CatholicCare and BASP

To read more about the parishes work with CatholiCare, read our article Will You Be My Neighbour

Our ongoing support and collaboration are essential to meet the immediate needs of those who have been displaced.  It keeps many from homelessness and destitution.

Thank you for your continued support.

Photo: © Akos Stiller//Bloomberg

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