The aim of the Refugee Family Reunification Trust is to raise funds to financially assist refugees in Wellington with the costs of bringing qualifying family members to join them here. The Trust helps refugees living in the Wellington region who have significant family members left behind in refugee camps and similar situations.
Refugees are a particularly disadvantaged sector of our community, suffering greatly from forced separation from their loved ones. Priority is given to the most vulnerable refugees – such as solo mothers, children, those with disabilities, the elderly and the unwell.
Family reunification is very expensive and so, without assistance from our Trust, many of these families would never be able to get back together again, thereby hindering the ability of those already here to successfully resettle in New Zealand.
The Trustees meet regularly to consider applications for assistance, and applicants are informed of the decision as soon as possible. The Trust may help with all or part of the costs, and assistance may be given by way of a gift, a loan, or a combination of gift and loan.