Access and SSI sends its thoughts and encouragement to the Afghan community living in Australia and abroad, including our staff, community members and their families who have connections in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

We are providing settlement services and case management support to the newly arrived Afghan refugees in NSW upon arrival, in hotel quarantine and for up to 18 months in the community. And we are supporting campaigns for women and girls in Afghanistan and for the Australian Government to bring more refugees to safety.  

What can you do to help people in Afghanistan? 

SSI’s advocacy 

SSI and Access continue to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of Afghan people living within Australia and abroad. To find out more about our advocacy work in this area, view:

Contact your local MP 

Write, phone, email your local member of Parliament and request the government increase Australian's humanitarian intake.

The Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) has a template you can use to help you write a letter to your local MP here.

Mobilise your efforts 

Join social services organisations to help support Australia’s vulnerable communities. We support these organisations that advocate on behalf of Australian communities to reduce inequalities:


Sign a petition

Sign onto the petitions circulating. Here are the petitions that SSI supports: 


Donate - to support local Afghan arrivals

SSI is currently ascertaining the needs of the recent evacuee arrivals. As SSI is limited in being able to receive and manage material donations, the most effective donations are gift card vouchers for families to purchase clothing and essential items, or make a donation for Care Packages below. 

  • SSI fundraiser - ‘Pay it forward’ Care Packages

    SSI launched its care package fundraising campaign ‘Pay it Forward’ to support our refugee and asylum seeker communities during COVID-19, particularly in south-west Sydney, including those from the Afghani community.  

    This new community engagement initiative ensures that one of SSI's most vulnerable cohorts - people seeking asylum and those on temporary visas - have access to long-lasting food staples, basic household essentials and personal hygiene products.
  • Corporates

    If your organisation is interested in providing assistance,  please contact our Corporate Partnerships and Fundraising Manager, Naushin Rahman 0488 687 874 or [email protected]org.au. Find out more about SSI Corporate Partnership click here. 
  • Other Donations

    SSI is able to accept gift cards, which we will distribute to the communities we work with. These can be sent to SSI Parramatta Office at 81 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150.

    Unfortunately SSI does not have the capacity to collect, sort, store and redistribute material items such as clothes, furniture and white goods. A list of organisations that may be able to accept material donations is attached

Donate - to organisations providing support to people in Afghanistan

You can also assist by donating to humanitarian groups focused on supporting Afghanistan. See links below:

  • SBS has compiled a list of NGOs, including Emergency Action Alliance, Australian for UNHCR, UNICEF Australia, UNICEF Australia and many others.View here.
  • Mamamia has compiled a list of NGOs focused on the safety of women and children, including CARE Australia, Women for Women International, Afghan Women and Children foundation and Jalala Foundation and many others. View here.

Volunteer your time 

If you would like to volunteer your time at SSI, please visit SSI Volunteer page, or email Emma Middleton at [email protected].

Reach out to the community groups on the ground to offer your support. SSI and Access work with community leaders and associations, including: 

Support services 

  • The Asia Pacific Network of Refugees (APNOR) has launched an Afghan Crisis Helpline for Afghan nationals in Australia, Iran or Afghanistan. APNOR can provide emergency support items, link you with mental health counsellors and refer you for pro bono legal support. Call (+61) 1800 855 707.

  • The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) has just launched an Afghanistan Legal Clinic with the help of pro bono law firms and lawyer volunteers. This clinic will offer greater access to visa pathways, with Maurice Blackburn and Gadens law firms hosting a legal triage service to support Afghan people in need.

  • If you’re someone living in Australia and impacted by the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, contact the below support services:

Support in Afghanistan 

For information regarding support for people in-country (in Afghanistan), click here for the UNHCR Help Afghanistan page. 

Migration Resources 

Media

The privacy and safety of recent arrivals from Afghanistan is one of our biggest priorities. As such SSI will not be engaging with the media regarding the processes in place. We have also informed those recently arrived that they are not obligated to respond to media requests, including participation in interviews. For all media enquiries please contact Stephen Webb, Manager, Corporate Affairs at [email protected].