Dunedin Welcomes Refugees

A group of concerned local residents have come together to organise a vigil in support of Dunedin welcoming refugees to its city.

Events in the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Europe have sparked a major humanitarian crisis. In just over 4 years, half of Syria's 22.4M population is now dead, displaced or exiled.

As a nation, we can do something about this. New Zealand is 90th in the world for refugee intake per capita, our intake hasn't changed since 1987.

In response to public pressure, the government said it would increase our refugee intake by opening 600 places as part of a "special emergency intake" above New Zealand's annual refugee quota of 750, and 150 places would be offered within the quota.

Dunedin is a vibrant city, renowned for its culture, heritage, and altruism. Dunedin has the capacity to take refugees, but needs a plan. I know that Dunedin's generosity of spirit would shine through, and we would welcome any refugees to our city.

As Nelson Mandela said: "Our human compassion binds us to one another, not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future".

Please attend the vigil in support of Dunedin Welcomes Refugees this Friday:

Dunedin Welcomes Refugees
Candle-lit Vigil
Friday 11 September
5.15PM
The Octagon
Please bring a candle

ENDS

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