Bridge For Asylum Seekers Foundation

Financial assistance is urgently needed because the Government denies asylum seekers on BVEs and Habeas Corpus orders the right to work or to access government benefits of any kind including Medicare, social security or even free access to public schools for their children. These asylum seekers live in absolute poverty. At times there may be no food in the house, children may need urgent medical attention and clothing. There is nothing to do and nowhere to go. They live close to despair relying entirely on the good-will of friends and the community. Those families, friends and community networks who provide board and offer accommodation are often themselves struggling to survive financially. But asylum seekers dare not work because they will be returned to detention and their employers fined. Those who are stateless or cannot return to their country face indefinite detention or freedom without the means of survival.

Every month, BASF provides supplementary living assistance to over 100 individuals and families to enable them to survive. All recipients of funds have a genuine fear of persecution and come from countries which grossly and flagrantly abuse human rights including Iran, Colombia, Burma, South American and North African countries, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Aceh, China, and the Indian sub-continent. Some live with guarantors, friends or in housing provided by church groups.

We are still helping asylum seekers who came to us in June 2003. It is always heartening when we receive news of people being accepted and who now can start a new life for themselves.

Young people can assist BASF by subscribing to our newsletter, volunteering to help out at fundraing events and raising awareness about the issues facing asylum seekers in Australia under current law.

We are actively seeking doctors, dentists, psychiatrists and lawyers for pro bono work.