Sanctuary Refugee Foundation

Sanctuary Refugee Foundation sponsors and settles recognised unfunded refugees, providing interest-free travel loans and assisting with all aspects of settlement into their new community.  We believe that all victims of war have the right to a safe and hopeful future with dignity, regardless of race or creed.

Over the last 20 years Sanctuary Refugee Foundation have helped thousands of refugees from many war torn nations, inlcuding Chile, El Salvador, Vietnam, Iraq, Burma, Bosnia, Sudan, Ethiopia and Congo.

On arrival these refugees are welcomed and helped with housing, furniture, food etc, and are assisted in all areas of settlement, including registration with Government offices, banking, English class, school, medical etc and welcomed into their new community.  Some of our programs include:

The Sanctuary Travel Loan Fund: In response to an urgent need for refugee airfares a 'revolving' travel fund was set up in 1996.  Sanctuary provides an interest free airfare loan, then books the families travel to Australia through the International Organisation for Migration. (IOM).  Once settled, each family gradually repays their interet free airfare loan back (over 2-3 years) and this is then 'recycled' to assist another refugee family. It is very successful, with a 95% re-payment record.

The Refugee Advice and Support Program: Sanctuary offers this regular ongoing service to assist ex-refugees who need advice and help with many issues, and often need a mentor.

Sanctuary community Refugee Support Groups: Sanctuary has inspired, initiated and trained 12 community Sanctuary groups in regional and metropolitan centres across Australia.

We would appreciate it if any students could hold a fundraiser in their school, university or church to directly assist suffering refugees, who are facing a hopeless life without our help.  Please get in contact with us and we will provide as much support for you as possible.

Sanctuary Refugee Foundation is a multi-award winning charity that believes in the power of local communities to make powerful changes to the lives of refugees.  Our partons include actor Jack Thompson, author Steve Biddulph and radio presenter Phillip Adams.