Levin gets ready for refugees
Colombia is a country where civilians have been the main victims of a 50-year internal war. Even when the main guerilla group put down its arms in 2016, others have sprung up and taken over.
The country has 7.7 million people who are displaced internally and will never be able to go home again, but in spite of that they have opened their borders and homes to 1.75 million refugees from Venezuela.
Of these, 44,000 orphaned children have recently been given Colombian citizenship to help them start a new life.
Why? Because when war ravaged Colombia over the years many found refuge in neighbouring countries like Ecuador and Venezuela, where they were welcomed. Both these countries already have millions of refugees from elsewhere.
Three or four families from Colombia will be coming to Levin this winter. They have spent years in refugee camps and have been without a place to call home for much longer.
Discussion and meetings with local people, agencies and organisations, such as MSD, Housing NZ and local schools, who are likely to be involved in the settlement process in some form, is ongoing.
The Levin Red Cross building on Queen Street is being refurbished to accommodate staff who will help the new arrivals settle into Levin. Interviews for staff to do that job are under way and recruitment of volunteers will soon begin, said Rachel O’Connor, General manager Migration for the New Zealand Red Cross.
The official start is likely to be sometime in April or May when everything is in place and the government is satisfied everything needed is in place.
“This is a big job as we are working on a community-wide approach. Lots of planning is involved, including training of volunteers, GP and school enrolments, for example.
“And then there are the unexpected issues we need to deal with such as an offer from someone in Levin to fix up old bicycles to give to the refugees and another who has called meetings to engage young mums with the issues. There are opportunities for everyone to contribute, however small,” O’Connor said.
She said the first Colombians settled in Hamilton in 2007 and since then families have settled in Palmerston North, Nelson and Invercargill.
“We have a lot of experience in resettling refugees and in particular with Colombians. They bring life, passion and colour to their communities. Interestingly they have many similarities with Kiwi culture. For example Spanish vowels are
similar to those in Ma¯ ori and we have found many Colombians chose to learn Ma¯ ori.
“Family is very important to them and like many Ma¯ ori and Polynesians they have many social interactions centred around food. We have found they are quick to make friends and get involved in their new communities. In Nelson the Colombian community put a float into the Santa Parade. Many of them are Catholics and get busy with church activities too.”
O’Connor said though there is a peace agreement with the main warring faction the country is still of concern.
“There is still violence towards civilians from several newer armed groups, who have taken advantage of the vacuum left by the main group signing a peace agreement, and close to 65,000 Colombians who live in Ecuador have refugee status.”
She said refugees bring many social and economic benefits to their new community and the welcome they get in most places is a humanitarian response. A great welcome is important.
One former refugee, Carlos, settled in Invercargill and is a labourer by day and a DJ by night. He said Radio Southland sought him out and volunteering for them helped him settle into his new community. He started a
Latino radio show.
Carlos, or DJ ‘JC Japon’, and his two co-hosts, Carolina and Adriana, are on air with the weekly Sonidos Latinos [“Latino Sounds”], broadcasting live. He was soon joined by others.
“After all refugees have been through they need to feel safe
and welcome,” O’Connor said. “Offering friendship is important.”
O’Connor said the choice of smaller communities to resettle refugees was deliberate. Not only do smaller communities step up, they are always looking for workers and refugees are highly
motivated to work and not fussy about jobs.
“It makes good economic sense to accept refugees.” Public workshops will be held soon in Levin.
“Levin is at the start of its refugee resettlement which means a lot of information we need to get started is still not available to us. It all takes time, but we have 40 years experience with this and have contact with all the necessary agencies and government departments.
“Our Levin office will be ready soon and interviews with staff who will work there are happening at the moment.”
She said applications from social workers would be appreciated. Many groups, such as schools, sportsclubs and churches as well as local Red Cross volunteers are already busy preparing for the new arrivals.
There is no need to feel that Levin isn’t ready and no-one will be losing their home or job nor will those who have little be expected to hand over furniture, bedding or household items to refugees. Many employers have already indicated they’d be happy to have refugees working for them.
■ For more information the Red Cross advises to keep an eye on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NewZealandRedCross.
■ Horowhenua District Council has information about refugee resettlement on its website www.horowhenua.govt.nz/Community/Refugee-Resettlement