Supporting communities  |  20 Jun 2019

Two refugee families will be welcomed to Christchurch on Friday as the city continues its proud tradition of offering a fresh start to families forced to flee their homeland.

A poster promoting World Refugee Day.

Thursday 20 June is World Refugee Day.

The families – from Eritrea and Afghanistan – are being settled in Christchurch under the Refugee Resettlement Programme, which Christchurch re-joined last year after an eight year hiatus forced by the earthquakes.

They will join 22 other refugees from Eritrea and Afghanistan who arrived in Christchurch in March. More refugees are expected throughout the year.

Christchurch will receive about 120 refugees each year through the Refugee Resettlement Programme.

“It is fitting as World Refugee Day is marked across the globe that we prepare to welcome more refugees into our city,’’ says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“The two families that will arrive tomorrow are coming from communities that are already established here so they will get lots of support as they start their new lives but I hope the whole city will rally behind them,’’ the Mayor says.

“We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone feels welcomed and a part of our richly diverse city, no matter their ethnicity, religion, or where they have come from. As a city we want people from all backgrounds to be actively involved in every aspect of what we do.’’

A celebration to mark World Refugee Day will be held at Hagley Community College on Saturday. It has been organised by the school in partnership with Red Cross, Christchurch Resettlement Services, and the Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre.