DIMA Annual Report 1998-99
Operation Safe Haven
On 6 April 1999, the Australian Government embarked on a humanitarian exercise unique in Australia's history – that of providing a temporary safe haven to nearly 4000 displaced Kosovars from camps in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
Entitled Operation Safe Haven, it was one of the largest humanitarian exercises ever undertaken by a government agency.
As lead agency, the Department was responsible for coordinating the Operation, from selecting the evacuees for charter flights to Australia, to their temporary settlement in Australia, and plans for their ultimate return to their home region.
The Department drew on the expertise of staff around Australia and overseas, involved officials from 20 government agencies, non-government agencies, community groups and volunteer workers.
Australia's response to the crisis was rapid. Within days of the Government's announcement, a team comprising seven departmental officers and support staff were working at border camps in the FYROM. An additional 12 departmental officers travelled to the camps in May to continue the effort.
Working in basic and difficult conditions, the teams identified those Kosovars who were interested in temporary safe haven in Australia, and were fit to travel. Priority was also given to keeping families together, and to identifying women at risk.
The teams also successfully assisted the local representatives and officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with medical screening and registration processes.
When the first group of about 400 Kosovars arrived at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport on 7 May, an official party led by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs welcomed them to Australia.
Federal government and opposition representatives greeted subsequent groups. Senator Kay Patterson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, was appointed principal patron for the havens. Two MPs/Senators were appointed as patrons to each haven, representing the Federal Government and the Opposition.
By the end of June, the evacuation was complete with 3911 people arriving in Australia. They comprised 1347 children under 12 years of age, 503 between 12 and 17, and 2061 people of 18 and over. Ten babies were subsequently born in Australia making a total of 3921.
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Safe havens
The Department of Defence nominated a number of military barracks capable of providing accommodation for the Kosovars-Brighton (near Hobart, Tasmania) Leeuwin (Fremantle, West Australia), Hampstead (near Adelaide, South Australia), Puckapunyal, Portsea and Bandiana (Victoria), East Hills (on the outskirts of Sydney, New South Wales) and Singleton (Hunter Valley, NSW).
The East Hills haven operated as the initial reception centre for all Kosovars. The arrivals spent an average of three to four days at East Hills, undergoing immigration processing, including issuing of travel documents and identification cards. They also received health checks, new clothing, phone cards and the first instalment of a weekly cash allowance.
After processing, groups were moved to one of the havens where a range of services was provided, including medical and dental, education, recreation, specialised torture and trauma counselling, and language services. At each of the havens, Kosovars formed Residents' Committees, to contribute to the smooth operation of the havens.
Every effort was made to enable the Kosovars to participate in the local community. Australians donated toys and money, and issued the Kosovars with invitations and passes to entertainment and sporting events.
While the Task Force played a coordinating and pivotal role in the operation, many other parts of the Department played significant roles, especially the Department's offices in the states where safe havens were located.
The excellent performance of state and territory offices, while maintaining normal services to all DIMA clients, was vital to the success of the operation. Their efforts advanced public recognition of DIMA as a "people-oriented" department.
Staff operated across several fronts at the same time. They were actively involved with other agencies in the creation and management of the eight haven sites. They sought and gained the commitment of government and non-government service providers at agency level and among teams assembled within each haven.
As well as engaging Albanian community support, including bilingual volunteers whose help was vital to the delivery of all support services, DIMA staff showed acute awareness of community relations issues, while gaining and retaining the support of local communities and the broader Australian community.
Part of the media contingent on hand to document
the arrival of a UN supply truck at the Tent City in Skopje.
Staff, particularly haven managers and those working with them, showed high levels of cross-cultural understanding in responding to the specific needs of different clienteles within haven populations, and in negotiating appropriate service outcomes. Staff from NSW offices carried the additional challenge of managing the East Hills reception centre through which all Kosovar evacuees transited.
In Canberra, the Department's legal team ensured the Temporary Safe Haven Visas Bill 1999 went to the Senate less than four weeks after the initial announcement.
The Bill was passed by the Parliament in May. The visas allowed the Kosovars special entry to Australia – for an initial period of three months – which could be extended until it became safe for them to return home.
The Public Affairs team was responsible for managing the immense media interest the Operation generated in FYROM and Australia. More than 120 media representatives were present for the arrival of the plane carrying the first group to Australia. Public Affairs Officers were temporarily located in FYROM and at each safe haven to manage the continuing strong media interest.
Education and language services were organised by the Department through its Central and State offices, the Adult Migrant English Program and the Translating and Interpreting Service.
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Other agencies
Operation Safe Haven involved close collaboration among other government departments and State agencies, including the Department of Defence, Health Services Australia, New South Wales Health, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Customs Service, Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, NSW Department of Community Services, State Premiers' Departments, Environment Protection Agency, State Police services, and Emergency Management Australia.
Volunteer and community agencies also played a crucial role, including the Albanian community, the Refugee Council of Australia, Australian Red Cross, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul. Many individual Australians volunteered their time and services, making this a widely representative national effort.
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Repatriation
At the end of June 1999, the Minister announced that not only were the Kosovars free to go home at any time, some with urgent family matters had already done so. The Minister added that they were evacuated to Australia at the request of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and that Australia would continue to consult with the UNHCR on the timing of and arrangements for their return home.
Processing new arrivals at East Hills reception centre.