Critical accommodation sought for a family reunification from Afghanistan
As part of its international obligation and commitment, the State supports the resettlement of refugees into Ireland. However, given the complexities and shortages of accommodation in the country, this humanitarian responsibility is challenging.
Recently, AMRI were contacted by a Community Sponsorship Group in Wicklow Town who were instrumental in providing a welcome and support for 10 women from Afghanistan who lived in An Tairseach Farm and Ecology Centre for some months when they first arrived in Ireland. This was initially coordinated by the charity Friends of Ascend. The charity continues to support the young women in securing accommodation and education. Without government funding, it is only through the efforts of the volunteers and their network that this can be done. Key to this support has been the support of the Dominican sisters in Wicklow and also the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Booterstown who kindly donated the use of a house for four of the young women.
The Community Sponsorship Group are now organising to provide a welcome and support for the Naeels family from Afghanistan, who are hoping to join their young daughter Neda in Ireland, who was one of the 10 women. The family consists of Neda’s parents, her sisters – aged 23 and 14, and brothers aged 23 and 17.
Under the new Open Community scheme for supporting the resettlement of refugees into Ireland, a key criteria is that suitable accommodation with a 24-month lease is necessary for moving forward with an application for the Naeels family.
If your congregation is in a position to support the Community Sponsorship Group to help accommodate the Naeels family, please contact Toni at justice@amri.ie.
