A crowd-funding campaign seeking donations to help asylum seekers in Geelong apply for protection visas has raised more than 70 per cent of its $70,000 target.
The Indy reported in April that the Seeking Refuge Project, a partnership between seven community groups, needed the funds for interpreter services.
Project co-ordinator Marijana Graljuk said there were around 300 asylum seekers in Geelong who had fled a country where they risked or experienced torture and persecution.
“These people have one chance to apply for a protection visa and avoid being returned to the country they have fled. These people need our help,” Ms Graljuk said.
She said the project would “mobilise a small army” of volunteer migration agents and administrative volunteers to help local asylum seekers prepare their protection visa applications.
“These volunteers will provide migration law advice and practical help to asylum seekers, however there is an urgent need for interpreters to work alongside them.
“Without access to interpreters, asylum seekers will have difficulty understanding the requirements of the process and have a reduced chance of their application being accepted.”
The Seeking Refuge Project crowd funding campaign at pozible.com/seekingrefuge is open until 31 May.
