Sanctuary Australia Foundation

Berhanu and his son Dawit, who was injured during a kidnapping attempt in Uganda.

After fleeing Ethiopia, little Dawit and his parents became refugees in Uganda. Dawit’s father had escaped from hard labour imprisonment. He had been persecuted and tortured by Government militia, after his own father and twin brother were murdered in front of him.

After arriving in Uganda, Dawit’s mother went to the local market for food, and never returned. He and his father were in shock, knowing that she had probably been kidnapped. He sought the help of the local police, to no avail….

Now Dawit has narrowly escaped a kidnap attack himself, while playing with other children. When he was grabbed, they screamed and people came running to his aid…….The kidnappers threw him out of their car window onto concrete when they were pursued. As a result he was severely traumatised and his arm was broken in 2 places.

This is the miserable life of a refugee, with nowhere safe to go, living under constant threat and fear.

We sponsor the ‘forgotten’ refugees, who have no hope without our help – most are stuck in camps for years. We raise money to provide interest-free airfare loans for those who are accepted under Australia’s unfunded Humanitarian 202 Visa category. These funds, after being repaid slowly over time, are used again and again (recycled) to assist more families. Without your help, these families will remain in limbo, unable to start their lives.

Who do we help?

Refugees are people who have had to flee their country due to war and persecution. Many have been victims of, and have witnessed, extreme violence, torture and rape. Without Sanctuary’s help, they would have no hope of a decent life and a future for their children. They struggle day in and day out for survival, still under the threat of violence and living in extreme poverty.

Sanctuary has been sponsoring and settling refugees for over 23 years, including people from Vietnam, El Salvador, Bosnia, Iraq, Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Burma, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

We are a national network.

Sanctuary believes in Australian values of a fair-go for all. We have a growing network of settlement groups across the country, who are committed to welcoming refugees  This network was initiated in order to create geographic spread, which we believe is vital for balanced settlement to occur.

Once in Australia, refugees make a positive contribution to Australian society, studying, working, setting up their own businesses and enriching our society in many ways.

Sanctuary is run by a caring team, including its original founders, who have had vast experience, with refugees from many cultures and backgrounds. Sanctuary is made up of people who understand refugees needs, are not merely ‘advocates’. Our charity is hands on, passionate and deeply involved with refugees, both directly in the camps, and in Sanctuary communities across Australia.

Sanctuary is a multi-award winning Charity, run with the utmost integrity, carefully giving direct assistance to refugees in real need. Every donation makes a real difference. Please help.

“I have deep respect for your work and it’s impact.”

Kerry O’Brien, former ABC television 7.30 Report Presenter speaking at the 2007 Sanctuary Dinner.