SSI and its partners welcome increased Syrian refugee intake and financial aid

On behalf of the NSW Settlement Partnership, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said this announcement was a lifeline to people fleeing the war in Syria as well as to many living in refugee camps.

“We welcome the government’s action to increase Australia’s refugee intake, and we are thankful for this decision as it will undoubtedly save many lives,” Ms Roumeliotis said. “Australia has a great legacy of accepting refugees to its shores and we believe the world now needs the support of our country more than at any time since the Second World War.

“NSW Premier Mike Baird has said the state is able to support a greater number of refugees and I can say that SSI, along with humanitarian settlement service providers and other partners, is ready and willing to play its part together with the community to support those people granted visas to settle in NSW.

“The news that government will provide $44 million in financial aid to the UNHCR to assist with humanitarian relief of the Syrian conflict is also extremely welcome. The government says this money will fund some 240,000 people living in refugee camps.”

SSI is the lead partner of a consortium, the NSW Settlement Partnership (NSP), which comprises 22 organisations. The NSP partners include SSI’s 11 member Migrant Resource Centres and multicultural services and 10 organisations based around the state, including rural areas.

Media enquiries:

SSI Online Communications Coordinator, Callan Lawrence, 0478 156 491 or 02 8799 6746
SSI Communications Coordinator, Rekha Sanghi 0422 304 578