How ALWS Helps Refugees.pub - Australian Lutheran World Service
How Does ALWS Help Refugees? Refugees are some of the poorest and most desperate people of the world. They need help, care and love. For over 60 years ALWS has had a special care and concern for refugees and resettling refugees – as many have experienced some of the most horrific conditions possible.
Bhutanese Refugees In the late 1980’s, the Bhutanese government began forcibly expelling all citizens who were not ethnically Bhutanese, including the large population of Nepalese descendants living in the south of Bhutan. By 1990, 107 000 Bhutanese refugees had fled to Nepal and were living in seven UNHCR refugee camps in the East of Nepal. These camps were all temporary camps, as the Nepalese government did not want them in their country. This means that the buildings had to be made out of bamboo, and there could be no resources that could make it a permanent arrangement (e.g. electricity for lighting). The UNHCR asked Lutheran World Federation (partner to ALWS) to look after the buildings and day-to-day running of the camps. ALWS worked hard to help the Bhutanese, and the Nepali people living around the camps, who also needed support. Help included organising and maintaining: • Housing • Water supplies • Food distribution • Health • Education • Street Lighting • Sanitation ALWS were also involved in empowering the people through teaching them about their human rights, and teaching skills that would be useful outside of the camp (sewing, weaving, soap making etc.). Unfortunately, this humanitarian crisis has lasted for over 20 years, and still continues today for many. Some of the refugees have chosen to resettle in another country so that their children may have a life outside a refugee camp, while others still wait in the camps in the hope that they will one day be able to return to their home in Bhutan. The Australian government has agreed to accept refugees from the camps on humanitarian grounds. In 2009, Australia took in 616 Bhutanese refugees, and this will continue until the number reaches 5000. ALWS are now able to support some of the Bhutanese refugees here in Australia. Bhutanese refugee children in their makeshift school – made out of bamboo with no lights or furniture. For them, education is the best hope they have when they resettle in another country, so they work very hard to learn.
The poor and the homeless won’t always be forgotten and without hope. Psalm 9:18
How Does ALWS Help Refugees? Sudanese Refugees War has been so devastating to Sudan for many, many years. When refugees flee Sudan, ALWS are there to help … ALWS support to refugees in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya: When families fleeing war arrive at Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, the Lutheran-managed team is there to welcome them by providing for their basic needs, such as soap, clothing, household utensils, and food for approximately 14 days. The team also assesses their physical and emotional wellbeing, and refers them to appropriate places for follow up and support. Another way in which you support those at Kakuma is by ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are met. This includes making sure that orphans and unaccompanied minors are fostered to appropriate families and that these families receive the training they need to care properly for these children. Vocational training opportunities are offered to many, and therapy sessions are made available to survivors of gender-based violence. In addition to looking after new arrivals and supporting the most vulnerable refugees, you also help to provide for over 2,500 pre-schoolers by providing training for the teachers and a nutritious porridge for the children every day. After many peace talks, a peace treaty was signed in January 2005. ALWS have been there from the beginning to help the refugees as they return home … The priority for ALWS funding will be to assist people returning to their homes in Southern Sudan helping them to rebuild their lives. After more than 20 years of civil war, the refugees are returning to very little. The task is enormous and ALWS is committed for the long haul, walking with communities in Southern Sudan on the long journey back to dignity, justice and peace. ALWS is working closely with other Christian organisations to assist thousands of people through activities focusing in the areas of health and nutrition, water and sanitation, emergency preparedness and response, peace building, protection, education, agriculture, psychosocial care and capacity development of local partners.
ALWS are also able to help support Sudanese refugees who have been resettled in Australia … something we can all do!
This is what the Lord requires of you: To act justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God Micah 6:8
Bhutanese Refugees In the late 1980’s, the Bhutanese government began forcibly expelling all citizens who were not ethnically Bhutanese, including the large population of Nepalese descendants living in the south of Bhutan. By 1990, 107 000 Bhutanese refugees had fled to Nepal and were living in seven UNHCR refugee camps in the East of Nepal. These camps were all temporary camps, as the Nepalese government did not want them in their country. This means that the buildings had to be made out of bamboo, and there could be no resources that could make it a permanent arrangement (e.g. electricity for lighting). The UNHCR asked Lutheran World Federation (partner to ALWS) to look after the buildings and day-to-day running of the camps. ALWS worked hard to help the Bhutanese, and the Nepali people living around the camps, who also needed support. Help included organising and maintaining: • Housing • Water supplies • Food distribution • Health • Education • Street Lighting • Sanitation ALWS were also involved in empowering the people through teaching them about their human rights, and teaching skills that would be useful outside of the camp (sewing, weaving, soap making etc.). Unfortunately, this humanitarian crisis has lasted for over 20 years, and still continues today for many. Some of the refugees have chosen to resettle in another country so that their children may have a life outside a refugee camp, while others still wait in the camps in the hope that they will one day be able to return to their home in Bhutan. The Australian government has agreed to accept refugees from the camps on humanitarian grounds. In 2009, Australia took in 616 Bhutanese refugees, and this will continue until the number reaches 5000. ALWS are now able to support some of the Bhutanese refugees here in Australia. Bhutanese refugee children in their makeshift school – made out of bamboo with no lights or furniture. For them, education is the best hope they have when they resettle in another country, so they work very hard to learn.
The poor and the homeless won’t always be forgotten and without hope. Psalm 9:18
How Does ALWS Help Refugees? Sudanese Refugees War has been so devastating to Sudan for many, many years. When refugees flee Sudan, ALWS are there to help … ALWS support to refugees in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya: When families fleeing war arrive at Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, the Lutheran-managed team is there to welcome them by providing for their basic needs, such as soap, clothing, household utensils, and food for approximately 14 days. The team also assesses their physical and emotional wellbeing, and refers them to appropriate places for follow up and support. Another way in which you support those at Kakuma is by ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are met. This includes making sure that orphans and unaccompanied minors are fostered to appropriate families and that these families receive the training they need to care properly for these children. Vocational training opportunities are offered to many, and therapy sessions are made available to survivors of gender-based violence. In addition to looking after new arrivals and supporting the most vulnerable refugees, you also help to provide for over 2,500 pre-schoolers by providing training for the teachers and a nutritious porridge for the children every day. After many peace talks, a peace treaty was signed in January 2005. ALWS have been there from the beginning to help the refugees as they return home … The priority for ALWS funding will be to assist people returning to their homes in Southern Sudan helping them to rebuild their lives. After more than 20 years of civil war, the refugees are returning to very little. The task is enormous and ALWS is committed for the long haul, walking with communities in Southern Sudan on the long journey back to dignity, justice and peace. ALWS is working closely with other Christian organisations to assist thousands of people through activities focusing in the areas of health and nutrition, water and sanitation, emergency preparedness and response, peace building, protection, education, agriculture, psychosocial care and capacity development of local partners.
ALWS are also able to help support Sudanese refugees who have been resettled in Australia … something we can all do!
This is what the Lord requires of you: To act justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God Micah 6:8
