Australia must ‘avoid humanitarian disaster on Papua New Guinean soil’: refugee support group

The charity said it had now been forced to make the “painful” decision to stop providing financial support to the organisation until mid-September.
photo: Automation and Control Research Center

Australian human rights groups say they and their families will continue to suffer if Canberra does not resume aid and evacuate Papua New Guinean refugees.

Nearly 50 men were forced to come to Manus Island in northern Papua New Guinea more than a decade ago after seeking safety in Australia.

They still live in plight in Port Moresby after humanitarian aid was delivered in Papua New Guinea Support cuts over alleged payment defaults Australian Government Act.

Last OctoberA spokesman for Australia’s Department of Home Affairs said Papua New Guinea took over “exclusive and independent” management of the remaining refugees in December 2021.

The spokesman said at the time that the funding arrangement was reached confidentially and the details remained confidential.

Charities, individuals and refugee advocacy groups have been providing financial support to these people. But he said donations have dried up..

They say they have now been forced to make the “painful” decision to stop financially supporting the group in mid-September.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), which provides support to asylum seekers, called on the Australian government to “avoid an Australian-made humanitarian disaster on Papua New Guinean soil”.

“After 11 years of unimaginable cruelty, pain and suffering, refugees simply cannot endure another impossible challenge beyond their control,” said Heidi Abdel-Raouf, ASRC’s Papua New Guinea Detention Advocacy Caseworker.

“The Albanese government can and must resolve this issue quickly to avoid another Australian-made humanitarian disaster on Papua New Guinean soil.”

The Australian government announced in early July that it would work with the Papua New Guinea government to restore support for people at highest risk, many of whom are extremely ill, but did not disclose what that support would be or when it would be restored.

Charities and humanitarian organisations working closely with refugees and their families in Papua New Guinea say the situation is extremely critical and lives will be lost if the Australian Government does not urgently take responsibility.

These men and their families have suffered for years the combined effects of trauma, medical neglect, violence and abuse, malnutrition and low living standards.

A Recent health reports The ASRC report confirmed that 100% of refugees currently held in Papua New Guinea suffer from some form of physical health condition and 40% suffer from chronic suicidal ideation or a history of suicide attempts.

The ASRC said if the Australian government refused to restore support and evacuate people to safety, the only lifeline for the remaining refugees and their families would be resettlement to New Zealand, the United States and Canada.

However, resettlement efforts so far have been slow, with some people waiting for years.

The report says many refugees are now in poor health and unable to participate further in the resettlement process.