Today is World Refugee Day.
At CEH, we fight to let them stay. We fight to eliminate barriers, like cultural beliefs and stigma, which can prevent refugees from accessing the health services they require. We fight for a healthy, safe, equitable society.
You might wonder, what can you do to support the health of refugees and the broader community?
– Contact your local MP & demand refugees on Manus and Nauru are brought to safety here.
– Listen to refugee stories like The Messenger podcast to learn about the refugee experience
– Support organisations that support refugees including Lentil As Anything, Sorghum Sisters African Catering and Chobani.
– Volunteer at a program that supports refugees such as Friday Night School.
– Donate to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
You can also access health education sessions from CEH and improve the way your organisation interacts with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Despite plenty of fear-mongering from politicians, indefinite offshore detention is by no means necessary. Unless there are extraordinary extenuating circumstances, health and security checks can be performed within 8 weeks. After this period, asylum applications can be carried out which applicants live and work in the community.