By Michael Crutcher
THE trauma of war in the Middle East may mean that new arrivals to Brisbane archdiocese “need time to settle”, according to one of the city’s most experienced migration agents and community workers.
Rebecca Lim, a former community engagement co-ordinator at Dutton Park’s Romero Centre, said the Syrian and Iraqi refugees who would be welcomed to the archdiocese in coming months had experienced trauma.
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge has announced the archdiocese would take in at least 100 families from the 12,000 refugees who will be accepted in a one-off extension of the Federal Government’s humanitarian intake.
Those families are not expected to arrive in Australia until towards the end of the year and Ms Lim said they would need time to adjust.
“In the first six to 12 months people may need time to settle. They are often not in the right frame of mind and they have gone through their own trauma,” Ms Lim said.
“Some have literally stepped over dead bodies. They have seen some devastating things.
“And, for some, their first thoughts may be trying to help family members to join them in Australia.
“There is sometimes survivor guilt – one person may be offered resettlement and they are desperate to bring their family here. That is not uncommon.”
Archbishop Coleridge hopes the archdiocese can take in one family for each parish.
Ms Lim, who is a parishioner at St Mark’s at Inala, said the refugees would receive benefits not afforded the 30,000 asylum seekers from many countries desperate to settle in Australia.
These benefits include full Centrelink payments, access to Medicare, the ability to work, and other options including resettlement assistance and a case manager.
Ms Lim urged the archdiocese not to forget those Syrians and Iraqis in detention in Australian facilities.
“Don’t forget the people who are already here. They deserve protection as much as those coming through this humanitarian intake,” she said.
“They may be unauthorised maritime arrivals but they are not illegal. I know there are Syrians who are already in detention desperately hoping to be accepted.
“Those coming via the humanitarian intake are in a much better place. They will be entitled to full government benefits. That makes a big difference.”
Archdiocesan staff are continuing their preparations for the arrival of the refugees. Immigration officials are in the Middle East liaising with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The Federal Government will accept those refugees already listed with the UNHCR once security and health checks are completed.
Ms Lim said Australia would most likely receive refugees from different backgrounds within Syria and Iraq.
“There are different types of families that will be part of this intake,” she said.
“There could be middle-class families who can be different to families from the villages. They may have different expectations and parishes have to prepare for that.”
