Local Resettlement & the Refugee Journey - by Lucy Anderson and Dennis Maang

The Refugee Journey Dennis Maang From Myanmar to New Zealand

Definition of a Refugee “A refugee is a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion is outside the country of his nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

History of refugee resettlement Began in the 1930’s November 1st, 1944, 733 Polish refugee children arrived and went to a settlement camp in Pahiatua In the last 40 years, over 40,000 refugees resettled

Statistics 59.5 million forcibly displaced –19.5 million refugees 51% children 1% are resettled 17 years on average in a refugee camp

Migrant or Refugee? Choice Planning/Preparation Documents Family Can safely return Prepared/Motivated Less stigma Do not choose Unprepared/Sudden No documents Separation/Loss Unsafe Un-prepared Stigma and prejudice

3 Ways Refugees Arrive in NZ Convention Refugees (asylum seekers) – Around applications/yr, around 30% accepted Refugee Family Support Category – Up to 300/yr Quota Refugees – 750 (+/- 10%), Settlement support funded by MBIE

Red Cross Refugee Services team Refugee Client Cross Cultural Worker Social workerVolunteer Resettlement Case Worker Cross Cultural Worker Volunteer Coordinator Pathways to Employment

Red Cross Refugee Resettlement Settlement support for Quota Refugees – first 6 to 12 months Social work, Case Work and Cross Cultural Work and Volunteer support We work to assist people to recognise, value and mobilise their strengths and resources towards solutions to life’s difficulties. We work with people to be able to identify their needs and to access services to meet those needs

Red Cross Refugee Resettlement Volunteer recruitment Six training courses a year in Greater Wellington Region – The Refugee Experience – Role of the Refugee Support Volunteer – Teams & Teamwork – Support Services – Health & Wellbeing – Refugee Education – Culture

Support for non-quota refugees Limited support available Settlement Support not funded by the government Red Cross – can provide information and advice Other agencies pick up support where they can

Wellington Settlement 30% Quota, approx. 225 people per year More non-quota Wellington, Hutt Valley and Porirua Key ethnic groups: – Recent: Colombian, Sri Lankan Tamil, Burmese, Iraqi, Afghani, Iranian, Syrian, Somali – Historical: large number of other groups

Challenges and Strengths

Challenges Culture shock and transition Cultural Adjustment –Own culture vs NZ culture –Generational differences Language –Often limited English –Access to interpreting Come with limited money or possessions Homeless/ Unemployment

Challenges Grief –Loss of family, friends & country Prejudice and discrimination Unrealistic expectations –Challenges do not stop on arriving to NZ Assess to health services –Lots of unmet health needs –Interpreting –Understanding the system

Strengths Resilience. Adaptability. Commitment. Huge strength and courage. Experience living in other countries and learning other languages. Resourceful. Diversity.

Health – Cultural & religious differences Gender – roles, physical contact communication Saying “No” Keeping to western view of time View of mental illness

Health – learning to understand different systems Differences in health services. GP’s vs Specialists Prescriptions. Knowledge of support available. $$$

Health – Communication and Shared Understanding Importance of interpreters. Make sure everyone understands what is happening and why. –Many cultures will be shy to ask questions Traditional Healing/Medicine.

Questions ?