|
PO Box 829
Five Dock NSW 2046
P: 0418 261 160
|
About
BASF
The Bridge for Asylum Seekers
Foundation (BASF) was officially launched on 11th June 2003 by a broad
coalition of churches, human rights groups, unions, political representatives,
and individuals. The Foundation seeks donations to financially assist
asylum seekers on Bridging Visa Es or released under Habeas Corpus orders
and who have no adequate means of survival. Financial assistance is urgently
needed because the Government denies asylum seekers on BVEs and Habeas
Corpus orders the right to work or to access government benefits of any
kind including Medicare, social security or even free access to public
schools for their children. These asylum seekers live in absolute poverty.
At times there may be no food in the house, children may need urgent medical
attention and clothing. There is nothing to do and nowhere to go. They
live close to despair relying entirely on the good-will of friends and
the community. Those families, friends and community networks who provide
board and offer accommodation are often themselves struggling to survive
financially. But asylum seekers dare not work because they will be returned
to detention and their employers fined. Those who are stateless or cannot
return to their country face indefinite detention or freedom without the
means of survival. Every month, BASF provides supplementary living assistance
to over 100 individuals and families to enable them to survive. All recipients
of funds have a genuine fear of persecution and come from countries which
grossly and flagrantly abuse human rights including Iran, Colombia, Burma,
South American and North African countries, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Aceh, China,
and the Indian sub-continent. Some live with guarantors, friends or in
housing provided by church groups.
We are still helping asylum
seekers who came to us in June 2003. It is always heartening when we receive
news of people being accepted and who now can start a new life for themselves.
In order to stretch our resources
these recipients are being paid between $80 for an individual and $60
per person in a family group per week, depending on their circumstances.
In some cases, a small one-off lump sum is given to an individual, such
as for a medical emergency.
Bridge for Asylum Seekers Foundation
is a Board Committee of UnitingCare NSW ACT
and, therefore, donations to the Foundation of $2.00 and over are tax
deductible. Our ABN is ABN 78 722 539 923.
Donations
may be made: .
- by cheque or money order to BASF's address
at PO Box 829, Five Dock NSW 2046
- by Visa or Mastercard - click
here for form
- or by direct debit authority - click
here for form. The direct debit authority must be sent to
the postal address of the Foundation for processing to ensure that a
statement of donations is provided to the donor at the end of each financial
year.
BASF Patrons: Mr.
Laurie Brereton; The Hon. Senator Bob Brown; Sister Susan Connolly; Dr.
Louise Newman; Professor Stuart Rees; Mr. John Valder AO and Dr. John
Yu AC.
|
