In this month’s newsletter, we share an update on the situation in Afghanistan. UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi recently visited Afghanistan and met with the interim Afghan government as well as some of the hundreds of UN and NGO staff who have remained to stay and deliver despite the challenging circumstances. During his visit, the High Commissioner inspected UNHCR's warehouse in Kabul with newly arrived emergency kits being readied for distribution to displaced families. 

In addition to the huge outpouring of support received from thousands of Australians, artist and activist, Ben Quilty has been fundraising for our Afghanistan appeal. He has now raised an incredible $3 million which has been matched by Atlassian’s Mike Cannon-Brookes and wife Annie Todd, Scott Farquhar and wife Kim Jackson, and Karen Wilson of the Wilson Foundation, each of whom have pledged one million dollars to the campaign. We are so grateful for all the donations and support we have received. With your help, UNHCR has provided critical and life-saving assistance to over 332,000 newly internally displaced persons in 2021, including over 115,000 between 1 August and 7 September 2021. 

Irene Omondi, a UNHCR representative who has previously worked in Afghanistan and is currently the Head of Office in Mozambique is also featured. Throughout her career, Irene has focussed on empowering refugee women and girls. Irene joined the online Leading Women Fund special briefing last month from Mozambique and shared her insights on the impact displacement has on women and girls and how cash assistance enables them to live more secure and safe lives. 

Nominations are opening next Monday for the inaugural Australia for UNHCR - SBS Les Murray Award  recognising and celebrating the contribution of refugees who are helping shine a light on the situation of forcibly displaced people through their work or initiatives in the arts, sports or media. The award is in commemoration of Les Murray AM, sports journalist and broadcaster and much-loved host of The World Game on SBS television. The Award recipient will receive $10,000, generously donated by SBS, in recognition of their contribution and to help encourage positive awareness for refugees. Nominations are sought from authors, artists, actors, community leaders, sports people, film-makers and journalists who have settled in Australia as refugees. The inaugural recipient will be announced in March 2022.  

Finally we are pleased to announce a new collaboration between Australia for UNHCR and Islamic Relief Australia. The two organisations are joining forces to provide even greater support for the millions of displaced people worldwide.