The West Coast Refugee Sanctuary Group has been formed with the aim of assisting former refugees to be united with their families who have been left behind.

Our intentions are:
- To provide interest free loans to enable refugee families to be reunited.
- To recoup the loans so that the funds to be re-used to assist other families.
- To fundraise so that more refugee families can receive our support.

Family reunification is a constant concern for refugees living in Western Australia. The Government through its Humanitarian Program, brings many refugees to Australia every year. When the family arrives, they go through a settling in period and the main thing on their mind is the family left behind. Usually it is immediate family of sons, daughters, mother, father, brothers and sisters. The refugee family is able to apply for visas to sponsor their immediate family and quite often the visa is granted with the proposer being responsible for expensive plane fares, medicals etc. The Government has allowed the family to come and join the proposer in Perth, but as the proposer is mostly without funds the visas will expire, unless a solution is found.

Our Sanctuary Group continually fundraises in order to help as many people as possible to provide loans for the air fares. Our loans are interest free and every dollar donated is used for the loans. None of the money is used for administration purposes. All donations are tax deductible.

From our experience, we know that most people are eager to repay the loans as soon as possible and are extremely grateful for the help in bringing their family to Perth. Without our help, it would be practically impossible. As the interest free loan is repaid, it is used to help others in the reunification of refugee families.

We are very grateful for your interest in our group and invite you to join as an Associate Member. This category of membership requires no attendance at meetings or any formal involvement. An Associate Member shows that you are interested in our activities and will consider supporting the group with a donation and any other means available. We will maintain our contact with you during the year by email/mail newsletters.

Thank you for your interest. Our group co-ordinator Jim Benson-Lidholm can be contacted for any further enquiries.