Afghan Reintegration Package Offer to Expire
Media Release - DPS 41/2003
Afghans holding a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) in Australia have until the end of June to accept the Government's reintegration package, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) confirmed today.
The offer expires on 30 June 2003.
To date 34 Afghan TPV holders have accepted the package and 19 have already made a successful return to their homeland, benefiting from support services provided by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The package is voluntary and if not accepted does not affect an application for a further protection visa. However, TPV holders who do not accept the package and whose application for a further protection visa is unsuccessful will be required to depart Australia without the benefit of the package. Those who accept the package are required to withdraw any ongoing TPV application and will take effect on the day of departure from Australia.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for Afghans to be returned with a reintegration package, such as that offered by Australia. The UNHCR has assisted approximately two million Afghans to return home.
The package, which has been available to Afghans on TPVs for the last six months, includes $A2,000 for an individual adult or child (or up to $A10,000 for a family unit comprising husband, wife and dependent children).
It has been estimated to be worth up to five years' annual income for the average Afghan and is roughly equivalent to packages offered by the UK, Denmark and France.
DIMIA has arranged for IOM to provide a range of support services to Afghans returning to Afghanistan with the package. These services include meeting Afghans on their arrival in Kabul and assistance with transport from Kabul to other destinations within Afghanistan if required. Other services provided by IOM to those returning voluntarily include counselling and facilitating access to vocational training.
Afghan TPV holders who are interested in accepting the package
should contact DIMIA immediately on 131 881.
25 June 2003
Media inquiries:
Public Affairs: (02) 6264 2244 (bh) or 0419 442 000 (ah)