The world we live in today has greater connection between countries, cultures, and economies than our parents or grandparents could have ever imagined. This has led to greater mobility, but so too has it created disruptive migration trends such as the record levels of forced displacement due to conflicts and persecution.

Refugee resettlement providers must not only focus on providing essential services to refugees but also prioritise engaging in international dialogue and participating in forums that bring together organisations from around the world to share knowledge, experiences and best practices, as well as to advocate for the rights of refugees globally.

SSI is a regular participant at forums, such as the UNHR NGO Consultations, so it was a great honour last month to be able to play our part locally in hosting UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, on his trip to Australia.

During a visit to SSI’s new Fairfield office, we had the opportunity to elevate the experience of people who come to Australia as refugees, opening the door to a greater understanding of settlement in Australia and the experiences of those who come to our shores seeking safety.

The following week, our Fairfield office was once again honoured to play host to our international colleagues, this time holding a forum for Amnesty International Secretary General Dr. Agnes Callamard to hear from people with lived experience.

Whether working internationally or on a local level, SSI places a big emphasis on ensuring our work is both driven and informed by people with lived experience

We employ over 1,000 staff – more than half of whom were born outside of Australia. Many of these staff also have experiences of forced displacement, and it was wonderful to add their voices to the forum, sharing their nuanced experiences as people who have both been refugees and now support refugees.

SSI delivers local services, but we are committed to contributing to the sector globally through policy, advocacy, capacity building and the development of strong partnerships internationally.

Last week, I was privileged to speak at the Metropolis International Seminar at Georgetown University in Washington about the evolution of migration in the post-pandemic world and the lasting legal, political, and social implications of “temporariness” in all its forms.

It was fascinating to share insights of SSI’s experience in this area, while also hearing from other countries – and particularly relevant given last week’s announcement from the Federal Government on a big shift towards a more permanent-focused migration program in Australia.

As I absorbed information over the two-day seminar, it struck me again the value of collaboration between those of us in the migration space – whether refugees or others – to share resources, knowledge and expertise.

Through collaboration with international bodies such as Amnesty International, we have advocated to bring innovative initiatives to Australia, such as the Community Sponsorship Program.

Working with our international colleagues at the UNHCR NGO Consultations, we have identified challenges and barriers that refugees face in their new host countries. We have been able to advocate for better policies and support, and share experiences and best practices to improve resettlement outcomes for refugees.

Refugee issues are not limited to one country or region – they are a global concern – and require all of us to work collaboratively to shift the dial.

Ukrainian refugees Yurii and Inna Chuchenko settled in Fern Bay in April this year.

When their visas in Thailand expired, the couple were working in Thailand and expecting their first child and their families back home begged them not to return to Ukraine with Inna due to soon give birth.

“Our families wanted to protect us from terror and desperation back home,” Mr Chuchenko said.

After Port Stephens couple Mark and Jenni Chapple shared a post with their Instagram followers and learned about Yurii and Inna’s situation, they immediately contacted them, offering support.

Mr Chapple arranged flights and temporary visas for the Chuchenkos to fly to Australia away from the devastation in Ukraine.

The Chapples are keen to assist Ukrainian refugees in securing jobs and starting new lives in northwestern NSW, where the cost of living is cheaper and industries have dire needs for workers.

Like other Ukrainian refugees, the Chuchenkos received support from Settlement Services International through the Australian Government’s Humanitarian Settlement Program funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs* to access essential services and integrate into Australian life.

When the Chuchenkos settled in Fern Bay in April, they were still on their 600 visas which gave them limited access to local services, and they were connected to SSI to help them access 449 visas.

SSI Humanitarian Settlement Program Regional Coordinator for Newcastle and the Hunter Helen Larkin said that the Chuchenkos now have a better footing to start their new lives.

“The Chuchenkos are extremely self-sufficient, but with SSI’s support to access mainstream services and AMEP classes, they’re able to steamroll ahead in starting new lives here in Australia.” Mr Chuchenko said he is grateful for the whole-of-community support they’ve received from the Chapples, SSI and other community groups and members.

“Mark and Jenni, they saved us. They are now like our mother and father.

“Organisations like SSI are so important when you arrive in Australia as a refugee, and you have no prior knowledge of anything in the country.”

The Chapples’ proposal for a pathway to assist Ukrainians to settle in regional NSW – the CH2 project – is something that the Chuchenkos highly endorse and are supporting.

Mr Chuchenko said he was eager to raise awareness about the benefits of refugee resettlement in regional Australia with the Ukrainian community.

“As newly arrived refugees in Fern Bay, we’ve had such a positive experience so far and want to share our insights with other Ukrainians across Australia.

“This is why we started the CH2 Project to provide a fluid, secure and efficient pathway for Ukrainian Nationals to a life in Regional NSW.

“Our first project is to build this pathway to the regional cities and townships within the Upper Hunter, Liverpool Plains and New England areas.”

*For information about Australia’s settlement program, visit https://homeaffairs.gov.au/

My heart goes out to all of those impacted by the invasion of Ukraine, and the many communities both in Australia and abroad who are undoubtedly distressed and concerned for the safety of loved ones.

The sudden military offensive has forced hundreds of thousands of people, mainly women and children, to flee internally and to neighbouring countries. Others have stayed to fight.

Many in Australia feel helpless and are in a state of shock in the face of such turmoil, and are reacting with tears, sadness and anger.

It is therefore heartening to hear that the Australian government is prioritising visa applications from Ukrainian nationals and has flagged a special intake of Ukrainian refugees on top of Australia’s existing annual humanitarian allocation.

It is also heartening to hear that NSW and Victorian premiers are ready to help, with Dominic Perrottet saying NSW will welcome refugees “with open arms”.

Whenever people are being affected by acts of war, violence and aggression, in Ukraine or Afghanistan or anywhere in the world, it is a time for solidarity and care.

As these dreadful circumstances unfold, SSI is ready to play its part to help Australia uphold its proud record of helping those fleeing war and oppression.

We are prepared to respond quickly to a special intake from Ukraine, as we did with the special Syrian intake in 2015 and with recent evacuees from Afghanistan.

Wherever you are, I hope you are able to be with people you love and continue to support one another with kindness and empathy through this difficult time.

Violet Roumeliotis,
SSI CEO

To learn more about how SSI and other organisations are responding and what support is available, please visit our Ukraine Response webpage.

For 29-year-old Afghan professional cricketer Javed Ahmadi, the refugee experience isn’t new as the opening batsman was born in a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Following the recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Mr Ahmadi and his wife and four children were granted their humanitarian visas to Australia.

“I was born in that camp, and my family lived there for 25 years,” he said.

“So, this isn’t my first time as a refugee, but living in that camp is totally different to here in Australia.”

Mr Ahmadi said that his wife and children are settling well at their short-term accommodation in Campbelltown.

“My children are enjoying Australia; they are looking around for people with kids.

“They are very happy and are receiving lots of toys. Every day is Christmas for them!”

Mr Ahmadi arrived in Sydney with his family in October and, like other Afghan evacuees, received immediate support from Settlement Services International through the Australian Government’s Humanitarian Settlement Program funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs* to access essential services and integrate into Australian life.

Cricket career

After growing up in the refugee camp in Pakistan, Mr Ahmadi received a call from his eldest brother in London, encouraging him to return to Afghanistan for the under-15 trials, igniting his cricket career and eventual appearance for Afghanistan in the Cricket World Cup.

“My brother saw me as a good cricket player when I used to play with a tennis ball and bat, and he supported me financially to travel to Kabul,” he said.

“I started in 2005 as a youth player and was only 13 years old. Then later, in 2007, I played two tours in under-19.

“Cricket changed my life and helped me find my way, but it also helped my whole family get out of the camp from Pakistan back to Afghanistan.”

Mr Ahmadi is a right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm off break. He first represented the Afghanistan under-19 side in the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand.

“At that same time in 2010, I joined the national team in a game against Scotland,” he said.

“In 2012, I played in the under-19 in the World Cup and was also captain of that tour.”

Joining the Afghanistan national cricket team was a game-changer for Mr Ahmadi, as it was then that his cricket career ramped up.

“Between 2010 and 2012, I was very busy all the time because I joined the national team,” he said.

“I played for lots of clubs. In Bangladesh, Pakistan and Dubai cricket leagues.”

Mr Ahmadi had travelled to Australia three times during his cricket career before his recent move to Sydney.

“The first time I came to Australia was in 2012 for the under-19 World Cup.

“I came again in 2014 for a preparation camp before the 2015 World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand.”

Along with playing in three World Cups, Mr Ahmadi has also played three test matches.

“When we went for the 2015 World Cup, playing against Scotland (we won), and I made some runs for our team, 60 runs,” he said.

“In history, Afghanistan beat Scotland for the first time. After this win, we haven’t beat any team in the World Cup.”

Life in Australia

When asked whether he was given the option to come to Australia over other countries, Mr Ahmadi said he was and chose Australia due to its cricket culture.

“I’d been to Australia, and I really like it here. The UK life, they have small homes. In Australia, the weather is better,” he said.

“Cricket is different here. I can find a good contract here.

“The main reason to come here is cricket.”

Mr Ahmadi said that although he is confident that he will build himself and his family a good life in Australia, his wife is still getting used to living in a new country.

“She’s happy, but she’s worried about home and kids’ education.

“She’s thinking, ‘How long will it take to make us a new home?’ and I say, ‘God is with us.’”

“I tell my wife, ‘Stay patient, the right time will come.’”

Mr Ahmadi said that he’s well aware of the world-renowned refugee settlement services here in Australia.

“We are very lucky. A lot of people from Afghanistan are going to the UK or US. And I heard, they are first in the camp, and how do they receive service, in a camp?”

“SSI, especially my case manager, Layla, asks about my family, food, everything. That is really amazing for me,” he said.

“When I was in Melbourne, in quarantine, she asked about education and children.

“I was really happy when they asked us about education for my children.”

Getting a good contract as a professional cricket player is one of Mr Ahmadi’s first goals in his new home.

“I haven’t played for four months, and I really miss it!

“I need four weeks to get my sportsman energy and technique back.”

*Go to https://homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.