Emergency Support Service – Amir
November 13, 2020
New Land, New Hope
December 22, 2020
- 18 November -
SA COVID Lockdown: ARA Closed But Here For You
The ARA office will be closed for the SA lockdown, but we are still here for you.
Support for clients will continue wherever possible over the phone, Zoom, WhatsApp and Facetime.
The ARA Salisbury office is closed until further notice. Hopefully we can reopen again on Wednesday 25th November if the lockdown ends.
Face to face appointments are not available. If you need help or advice during this time, you can contact our Case Managers directly:
Arabic Speaker - 0427 073 489
Dari Speaker - 0447 773 552
Burmese Chin Speaker - 0452 034 416 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)
Bhutanese Speaker - 0447 400 808
Spanish speaker - 0414 054 419
And please remember to: Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol Wear a mask outside of your home Stay 1.5 metres apart Wipe down any surfaces with household cleaners or disinfectants Get tested if you have any cold or flu symptoms Download the COVIDSafe app You can also call the SA COVID Information line on 1800 253 787 or visit the SA Health website for more information. COVID19 translated resources are available here. We hope you and your loved ones stay safe during this time.
- 17 November -
COVID Update - Parafield Cluster Response
Due to the Parafield COVID19 cluster, client appointments will now be conducted over the telephone or videoconferencing (Zoom, WhatsApp).
For your own health and for the health of the ARA team, please do not visit our Salisbury office unless the matter is urgent.
All face-to-face meetings and group work are postponed until further notice.
We intend to fulfill as many of our core services as possible during this time. If you have questions or need advice in language, please call us on 08 8354 2951.
Please visit the SA Health website for updates on the Parafield Cluster and for translated resources about COVID19.
If you have any cold or flu symptoms please get tested immediately. You can find your nearest testing centre here.
You can also call the SA COVID Information Line on 1800 253 787.
Thank you and stay safe.
- 6 August -
COVID19 Health Alert - With Translations
Earlier this week, ARA urgently distributed translated audio warnings to our clients about the new COVID19 cases in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
These audio files are available to download in Arabic, Dari, Hakha Chin, Nepali and Swahili
Arabic COVID-19 Update
- 16 June -
ARA face-to-face services are returning
The Australian Refugee Association has resumed some face-to-face aspects of its programs and services, in line with the easing of COVID19 restrictions.
These include:
- Face to face appointments at all sites, with social distancing and hygiene practices in place. Clients will be asked if they have symptoms or are feeling unwell before each appointment.
- Group activities, if the space used is large enough for social distancing rules.
- Some volunteering activities.
- Staff have returned to working in the ARA offices, under social distancing and hygiene practices.
While it is business as usual for some programs, it may take some time for other activities to return to normal. As always, the safety and wellbeing of staff, clients and volunteers is our first priority.
To confirm if your activity will be resuming, please contact the Underdale office 8354 2951, or the Salisbury office on 8281 2052, or the Southern Outreach office on 8227 0304. Or you can email reception@ausref.net
Face to Face Appointment protocols
In order to protect both staff and visitors and reduce the possible risk of infection, all staff and visitors will be required to adhere to social distancing and hygiene practices.
All visitors must:
- Answer screening questions prior to meeting with staff
- Maintain physical distance
- Practice safe hygiene and use hygiene products provided
- Notify staff of any symptoms
We strongly encourage all ARA visitors to contact one of our offices prior to visiting: 8354 2951 (Underdale), 8281 2052 (Salisbury) or 8227 0304 (Southern Outreach ). Or you can email reception@ausref.net
Alternatively you can contact a case manager directly on:
Hind (Arabic speaker) 0418 331 424
Mohsen (Arabic Speaker) 0427 073 489
Halia (Hazaragi/Dari/Persian Speaker) 0447 773 552
Roy (Burmese Speaker) 0452 034 416 ( Tues, Wed and Friday)
Bhupal (Bhutanese Speaker) 0415 094 418 (Wednesday and Thursday)
Carolina (Spanish speaker) 0414 054 419
Alima (Swahili Spearer) 0439 823 340 (Monday and Tuesday)
ARA staff are available Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Thank you for your support and understanding over the last few months.
- 9 April -
New After-Hours Emergency Helpline
As part of our response to COVID19, ARA has a new emergency helpline for urgent out-of-hours support.
Our after-hours emergency helpline 0499 111 359 is available to assist clients with crisis support, information and referral.
ARA continues to support the community through this difficult time and it is our priority to maintain the health and safety of our clients and staff.
Both of our offices remain open, although many staff are working from home to minimise the risk to their health and ensure that our services remain operational.
We continue to provide support via phones and a variety of online mediums. Face to face contact is limited to clients experiencing crisis, and follows strict COVID19 protocols.
Our staff are working hard in assisting clients with following needs:
- Emergency relief- utility and food
- Advocacy and referral
- Counselling and wellbeing support
- Youth support
- Domestic and family violence support
- Emergency housing support
- Up to-date COVID19 information and advice
- Education and employment support
- Migration services
Clients can call our offices and Case Managers for help and advice during business hours:
- Underdale Office - 8354 2951
- Salisbury Office - 8281 2052
- Hind (Arabic speaker) - 0418 331 424
- Mohsen (Arabic Speaker) - 0427 073 489
- Hazaragi/Dari/Persian Speaker - 0447 773 552
- Burmese Chin Speaker - 0447 400 801 (Monday and Tuesday only 9am-5pm)
- Bhutanese Speaker - 0447 400 808
- Venezuelan/Spanish speaker - 0447 058 422
Now more than ever, ARA is supporting most vulnerable individuals and families through the self -isolation period, ensuring they feel connected and supported during the COVID19 pandemic.
We are committed to delivering a high level of service to meet the needs of our clients and the community and we encourage you to contact us if you require any support.
Wishing everyone the best of health. Stay safe.
- 24 March -
Service update: what’s continuing at ARA
Download this message in:
ARABIC
BURMESE CHIN
DARI
SWAHILI
NEPALI
The Australian Refugee Association is committed to supporting our clients and protecting the community throughout the COVID19 pandemic.
We are continuing to provide as many of our services as possible by telephone and videoconferencing:
- Emergency Relief – help with paying electricity/gas bills
- Information regarding COVID19
- Support and information regarding your health
- Scholarships – help with school or training fees and uniforms
- Family and Relationship Counselling
- Homework support for high school students
- Personal wellbeing support for young people
- Casework support – via the phone, information and referrals
- Employment pathways
- Budgeting information and payment plans
- Parenting, family and cultural support
- Referral pathways to mainstream services
- Migration support with visa applications and communication with the Department of Home Affairs about lodged applications
- Other settlement support for youth and families
Underdale Office - 8354 2951
Salisbury - 8281 2052
Hind (Arabic speaker) - 0418 331 424
Mohsen (Arabic Speaker) - 0427 073 489
Hazaragi/Dari/Persian Speaker - 0447 773 552
Burmese Chin Speaker - 0447 400 801 (Monday and Tuesday only 9am-5pm)
Bhutanese Speaker - 0447 400 808
Venezuelan/Spanish speaker - 0447 058 422
Face-to-face appointments at our offices are restricted to urgent situations only. For your health and the health of the ARA team, please do not visit our offices in Underdale and Salisbury unless the matter is urgent. What services have been postponed? These projects are postponed while we develop alternative delivery options (where possible):
- Homework Clubs, ARA Art and Youth Hangout
- Youth Ambassador Camp
- White Card Training
- Cultural Support Groups (Syrian Women’s Group, Burmese Women’s Group, Afghani Women’s Group, Backgammon Group)
- IT Group
- Learner Driver workshops
- Parenting Groups (Raising Our Babies Through Play)
- Cultural Awareness Training and Volunteer Inductions
- you will be asked about possible flu symptoms and recent travel before your appointment,
- your case worker or ARA contact person will practice “social distancing” and keep a distance of 1.5 metres from you,
- you will be asked to apply hand sanitiser before and after your appointment.
- have any flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, breathing difficulties, aches, fatigue) – please do not visit ARA for 14 days after your symptoms appear,
- have returned from anywhere overseas – please do not visit ARA until 14 days after your return to Australia,
- live with anyone who has returned from anywhere overseas – please do not visit ARA until 14 days after your contact with them,
- may have been exposed to COVID-19 – please do not visit ARA until 14 days after that contact.
Australian Federal Government translated resources Thank you for helping ARA prevent the spread of COVID-19. Deb Stringer
Chief Executive Officer
- 17 March -
Your Health Comes First: ARA’s Response to COVID19
The Australian Refugee Association is deeply committed to protecting clients, staff, volunteers and the community from COVID-19, commonly known as “Coronavirus”.
In this unprecedented situation, no doubt many of you are feeling worried. If we all work together, we can minimise the spread of this disease, limit the stress on our health system and hopefully save many lives.
Based on advice from the Department of Health, ARA has adopted preventative measures, effective immediately. These include:
- Conducting non-urgent case appointments via the phone or video conference,
- Postponing upcoming public events (Tastes From the Horn of Africa, Live Your Best Life Health Expo, ARA 2020 Oration) until later in the year,
- Postponing non-essential social gatherings and projects until further notice (see list of postponed activities below),
- Social distancing in essential client consultations and internal staff meetings,
- Emergency-only client home visits,
- Asking clients about possible symptoms or recent travel before their on-site meetings commence,
- Cancellation of staff attending any off-site meetings, and using video or teleconferencing as an alternative,
- Restricted movement of staff between the Underdale and Salisbury office,
- Staff self-isolating and working from home if they feel any flu-like symptoms,
- High-level hygiene and preventative measures in staff work practices and daily activity.
- have any flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, breathing difficulties, aches, fatigue) – please do not visit ARA for 14 days after your symptoms appear.
- have returned from anywhere overseas – please do not visit ARA until 14 days after your return to Australia.
- live with anyone who has returned from anywhere overseas – please do not visit ARA until 14 days after your contact with them,
- may have been exposed to COVID-19 – please do not visit ARA until 14 days after that contact.
These activities have been postponed until further notice:
- Homework Clubs, ARA Art and Youth Hangout,
- Youth Ambassador Camp
- White Card Training
- Cultural Support Groups (Syrian Women’s Group, Burmese Women’s Group, Afghani Women’s Group, Backgammon Group)
- IT Group
- Learner Driver workshops
- Parenting Groups (Raising Our Babies Through Play)
- Cultural Awareness Training and Volunteer Inductions
Australian Federal Government resources
Australian Federal Government translated resources
I sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding of the action ARA is taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Let’s work together to help each other through this uncertain and challenging time. Deb Stringer
Chief Executive Officer
