By Alesha Capone
The Wyndham community has come together to help refugees from Afghanistan who have begun arriving in Melbourne.
Tens of thousands of Afghanis have fled their country since the Taliban stepped back into power, after the United States withdrew its troops last month.
Under the national humanitarian visa program, Australia will take in around 3000 Afghani refugees, including those who flew in last week.
Wyndham Park Community Centre manager Greg Ferrington said that individuals and organisations including the Jet Australia Foundation, Bunnings Hoppers Crossing, Wyndham Rotary, United Sikhs and Let’s Feed donated groceries and toiletries, which were packed into 200 boxes and delivered to refugees quarantining in a city hotel.
Another 50 boxes were sent to refugees staying in short-term accommodation at The Gordon’s halls of residence in Werribee.
Wyndham Rotary’s Community Team, including Phil Hartcher, supplied 180 boxes of groceries, 300 family-size toiletry packs, 200 basic toiletry packs, 12 boxes of polo shirts and jackets, and clothes from the Fit4 Use Store in Werribee.
Volunteers from the Gurdwara Sahib Sikh temple in Tarneit provided 500 meals to agencies assisting the refugees, with federal Lalor MP Joanne Ryan helping to prepare the food.
“In such tough and challenging times, it’s so heartening to see our community come together to support one another,” Ms Ryan said.
“Whether it’s our local religious groups helping newly arrived Afghans or community organisations helping locals struggling in lockdown; supporting each other in times of need is what our community is all about.
AMES Australia chief executive Cath Scarth said the city of Wyndham has been eager to help the refugees from Afghanistan.
“Many of the people evacuated from Kabul have arrived with literally nothing, so all of the offers of help are appreciated,” she said.
“They will continue to need support as they settle so offers of volunteer mentoring support, friendship and jobs will be important into the future.”
