10-15 refugees a year headed for Timaru

The leader of a church which helped a family settle in Timaru after they fled their war-torn home is not surprised the town has been chosen as a new refugee settlement location.

It was announced on Thursday that Timaru will soon welcome 10-15 refugees a year as the Government’s increased refugee quota comes into effect, starting in March 2020.

Refugees will also arrive in Whanganui and Blenheim at that time, and in Masterton and Levin in May the same year with a sixth location to be announced soon.

Gleniti Baptist Church, in Timaru, is one of four communitybased organisations across the country to sponsor refugees under a pilot scheme that allows community organisations to sponsor them, in addition to those brought in under the government quota.

The scheme was an alternative form of admission for refugees in the 2017/18 year.

Syrian refugees Hayat Shawish, Mohammed Al Qattan and ninemonth-old Zuheir Al Qattan fled their war-torn home for a new life, settling in Timaru as refugees, under the scheme, last July.

Gleniti Baptist Church pastor Mark Pavelka and members of the congregation had helped the family settle into the community.

He said the community had been supportive of the refugee family and it was no surprise Timaru had been chosen as a new settlement location.

‘‘The family here have been settling in well, Mohammed has work and they are studying English,’’ Pavelka said.

He hoped there would be ‘‘the right kind of support’’ for refugees resettling in South Canterbury.

‘‘That has been one of the plusses

‘‘That has been one of the plusses with the pilot scheme. There’s has been a lot of support.’’

Gleniti Baptist Church pastor Mark Pavelka, who hopes there will be the right kind of support for the refugees resettling here.

with the pilot scheme. There’s has been a lot of support,’’ he said.

Locations for the refugees were chosen based on housing availability, employment opportunities, and the support systems in place from local government and the community.

Rangitata-based Labour list MP Jo Luxton said the region was a ‘‘natural choice’’ because of beautiful landscapes, a growing economy, falling unemployment, as well as health, education and housing options.

‘‘Our town is lucky to have a dedicated network of local community groups and agencies that will work to foster connections between locals and soon-to-be locals, in order to make them feel at home,’’ Luxton said.

‘‘Welcoming refugees changes lives and enriches our culture.

‘‘It is so important that refugees who have fled their homelands due to war and disaster are welcomed into our community,’’ she said.