Auckland Refugee Family Trust

Dear Friends of the Trust,

We’d like to take the opportunity to thank you again for all the support you have shown to the families of refugee background New Zealanders over the past months. Although the situation in Afghanistan is still perilous especially for women and girls - and despite the challenges of air travel in a pandemic - we have some very good news stories to share.

Thanks to the government evacuation flights from Kabul, all the women and children with loved ones here, who we were initially in contact with, have made it to safety in New Zealand. We know the need is still great - and thanks to your generosity we have funds available to help more families as soon as commercial flights are again available.

We have had other causes for celebration. A brother and sister arrived recently from a war torn country to reunite with the uncle who has adopted them. He says, “Finally they arrived in New Zealand safe and sound… without your support it is almost impossible. Thank you so much for your time and hard work. Forever thankful!”

We are also thrilled to have helped reunite a father with his two teenage sons: “So, so happy after five years without seeing them, I can not express my happiness.” Arranging flights, navigating covid testing requirements and trying to help secure MIQ places is so much more time consuming and expensive than it has been in previous years - without your support we could make none of this happen.

2022 is likely to be just as challenging - which is why we are looking for another Trustee to join us and bring their skills, energy and commitment to our small team. If you are interested in finding out more please visit our website or complete our Expression of Interest form here.

As we head towards the holiday season at such a strange and uncertain time in New Zealand, we are all conscious that despite the challenges of past months we can still count our blessings compared with some places in the world. Please consider a donation this Christmas, through Givealittle. All donations above $5 are tax deductible.

With deepest thanks from all the families you have helped to reunite.

The Trustees