BY JESSICA ROBERTS

From navigating visa pathways, to supporting the settlement of refugee arrivals, non-profit organisations around Australia are stepping up to help the Afghan community.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is providing free legal aid to thousands of Afghan Australians seeking visas for family members who have become internally displaced.

They receive around 400 calls a day from Afghan Australians seeking to bring loved ones to safety.

ASRC launched the Afghanistan Legal Clinic with the support of around 100 volunteer lawyers to meet this increased need for information and legal assistance.

ASRC principle solicitor Dr Carolyn Graydon said the clinic will help Afghan Australians navigate the complicated visa lodgement requirements and lengthy processing times.  

“This is not only about decency, compassion and humanity, but the right to family reunion is also recognised under international law,” she said.

“The family is the fundamental unit of our society and is deserving of special support and protection.”

 

Humanitarian Settlement Program provider AMES Australia is helping Afghan refugees, who have arrived in Australia, to settle into the community and orientate themselves to a new society.

AMES spokesperson Laurie Nowell said the group supported Afghan refugees from the time they arrived until they could live independently in the community.

“That might mean some training or education… helping them understand all the services that they're eligible for, and then eventually helping them find a job, or in some cases set up a business,” he said.

The settlement programs include helping Afghan refugees through the quarantine process, providing trauma counselling, finding housing, healthcare and education and connecting them with the community.

“It’s really important that they find their place in society, that they develop a sense of belonging and develop some sort of independence so that they can support themselves,” he said.

Mr Nowell said the Australian community can do its part by donating goods, money or offers of employment.

“In many ways, large and small, people can contribute to helping these people’s settlement journeys."

 

Monash Arts student and first-generation Afghan Australian Sadaf Zekaria said the current crisis is “pretty awful” for Afghan Australians.

“I personally found it difficult to even watch the news coverage because it was so heartbreaking,” she said.

Ms Zekaria said the community found comfort in helping those who have sought safety in Australia.

“I do have relatives that are organising items to be donated to newly-arrived Afghan refugees like clothing, prams, mattresses,” she said. 

“I feel like that’s been great to feel like we can actually help the lucky few who made it to Australia.”