Supplied Content
Wellington, June 21, 2020
The government is playing its part in international humanitarian work by providing support and protection to refugees and recognises their contributions to the society, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has said.
In a message marking World Refugee Day on Saturday, June 20, 2020, he said that New Zealand is proud to welcome and support refugees who have escaped extreme situations to settle in this country build a new life with other New Zealanders.
He issued the following Statement:
Significant contributions
Former refugees contribute to our committees culturally, economically and socially.
They bring with them their experiences, cultures, skills and their strong desire to participate in employment, community activities, volunteering and education.
Many former refugees have played a part as essential workers during Levels 3 and 4 of the Covid-19 response. We thank them and continue to be impressed by the work they do in our communities.
Although the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has suspended its Refugee Resettlement Programme due to the Covid-19 pandemic work is underway to support the resumption of refugee resettlement once the UNHCR is ready, and our border restrictions are lifted.
This includes ensuring that safe travel routes are available to facilitate refugee movements and the appropriate health measures and controls are in place.
Five Projects of support
Five projects to increase the wellbeing of our refugee community were supported in Budget 2020. They include helping former refugees reunite with family, supporting community settlement, and increasing security and processing.
Refugee family support includes the following:
Increases the support provided to former refugees in sponsoring family members and settlement support provided to sponsored family members
Increases the cap on the Refugee Family Support Category from 300 people per year to 600 people per year from 2021-2022 to $22.2 million over three years, commencing from Financial Year 2021-2022
Community Organisations Refugee Sponsorship Programme extends the pilot for three years (from 202122) to gather more information on its effectiveness.
The Pilot settled 24 refugees through four NGOs. The extended pilot will enable up to 50 sponsored refugees to be resettled in New Zealand in each of the three financial years from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024 (a total of 150 sponsored refugees over the three financial years); $5.4 million over three years from 2021-2012.
Addressing security needs after independent security assessment post March 15 attacks: Security technology, design work and security staffing increase; $8.5 million over four years; Capital $1.9 million.
Increase processing for refugee and protect person claims: Supports a forecast increase in claims from a total of 600 in 2019-2020 to 700 in 2021-2022
Boosts capacity to address fraud, integrity issues and strengthen processes: $5.4 million over three years (starts 2021-2022)
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway will speak at a Parliamentary event organised by the Red Cross in the Banquet Hall of Parliament on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 12 pm.
