By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong councillor Roz Blades says there’s a “crisis” among exhausted asylum seeker support agencies and volunteers.
She said agencies, wholly dependent on charity and volunteers, were being stretched by the large numbers of resident asylum seekers on bridging visas, who weren’t allowed to work and lived on less than the dole.
“There’s a lot of people out there donating their time and their goods so (asylum seekers) can have beds, pots and pans – things that we would take for granted.
“People are tiring, they’re using their own money and resources.
“It can’t go on forever like that.
“It’s a crisis. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that agencies are exhausted.”
Sri Samy, of Friends for Refugees, said warehouse storage was desperately needed for donated goods such as televisions and furniture.
“We’ve been struggling like this since May and I’ve been lobbying to be heard at all levels of government.
“We’ve got a lot of support from the public donating goods but we’re struggling to get it out there.
“There’s not enough transport or volunteers.”
She said bigger agencies such as AMES, Red Cross and Salvation Army were “doing what they could but they’re also under pressure”.
David Spitteler of the Asylum Seekers Centre in Dandenong has had to close his books in the past year to manage new registrations for food aid.
“I opened registrations up on Cup day. We got 100 more on our books, bringing a total of 290.”
At one stage, the centre was swamped by more than 440 registrations for food. The centre, which runs solely on donations, could not cope.
Mr Spitteler said computers, as well as food donations for Christmas hampers, were required.
“We’ve given out 2800 computers since I’ve started. We give away up to a dozen a week.”
David Owen, of the Christian-based Multi-Ethnic Support Network, helps about 170 asylum seekers to “learn English and to assimilate” in classes in Dandenong, Noble Park and Doveton four days a week.
At the start of the year, there was an initial class of six students.
The network, like other English class providers, is now struggling to accommodate demand.
“It costs money to run these things,” Mr Owen said.
“We’re doing a lot of work in the community, which should be sponsored by government and council.”
To help, contact Sri Samy at contact@srisamy.com.au and David Spitteler on 9802 5268.
