First group of refugees settle into the Nauruan community
The first group of family
members and single adult male refugees are settling into their new
homes in the community following the handing down of refugee status
determinations this week (20 May).
The Government of Nauru
handed down 20 refugee status determinations with nine people in
three family groups and four single adult males granted Nauru's
protection. They are now residing in their new accommodation at the
Anibare Lodge in Anibare district for the families and a separate
site for the single adult males.
Seven people received a
negative determination and remain at the Regional Processing
Centres 2 and 3. The seven consist of four people in two families
and three single adult men.
The first family group that
was brought to the Anibare Lodge is an Iranian mother, daughter and
son. The rest of the group - six people, followed later in the
afternoon (20 May)
They were met at the Lodge
by Save the Children staff and Menen Hotel staff who are managing
the Lodge, as well as the local media.
"Nauru is ready to welcome
our new guests and we have put in place a 'buddy system' to help
them integrate into island life. We hope they will enjoy our
hospitality and friendship and we are confident they will discover
peace and fulfillment while they are with us," Justice Minister
David Adeang said.
The refugees will move into
more permanent and more suitably located accommodation in the
second phase of their housing
arrangements.
Refugees that are resettled
into the community are free to move around the island, seek
employment and basically be part of the
community.
The Nauru Community
Consultative Committee (CCC) is setting up a Buddy System to
encourage community engagement and build friendships between the
refugees and the local community.
The Rotary Club of Nauru has
also indicated its interest in organising social events such as
barbeques, games and cooking classes, as well as welcome volunteers
for Rotary projects.
The Government of Nauru will
continue to hand down its refugee status determinations today
(Thursday 22 May) to approximately 21
people.