About Us

We are an incorporated, registered Charity, operated on a non-profit, non-denominational basis for the purpose of resettling recognised refugees, regardless of race, religion or creed. Sanctuary Refugee Foundation represents the Federation of Sanctuary groups, Australia-wide.

Sanctuary Refugee Support Group (now Sanctuary Refugee Foundation) was founded in 1988 by Sue and Peter Hallam, after what they describe as 'a life-changing experience' in Mexico, where they spent time with a priest who was sheltering destitute Salvadoran refugees.

"He was humble." Sue recalls. "His dedication and kindness were an inspiration to us, and we knew then that this was going to be our life's work! "

Subsequent history testifies to the strength of this commitment. After returning from Mexico, and working with refugees in Canada, the Hallams and their three sons migrated to Australia in November 1987, settling in Coffs Harbour on the north coast of NSW.

They soon established Sanctuary, and began working as volunteers for the Governments Community Refugee Settlement Scheme.

Within 12 months, they welcomed four refugee families from Central America to Coffs Harbour. "It was a huge undertaking, as most arrived traumatised, with nothing but the clothes they were standing up in! We helped them in every way possible, including accommodation, furniture, food, clothes, schools, bank, medicare, and so on, and tried to make them feel safe and welcome....."

In 1997, the group became a Registered Charity and began to send money directly to refugees suffering overseas, as well as clothing, shoes and medicines. In response to the famine in S.Sudan, over $17,000 was raised and sent to help feed those in need.

The Sanctuary Refugee Foundation sponsors and assists refugees who are in desperate situations overseas, and over the last eighteen years they have helped thousands of refugees from many war-torn nations, including Chile, El Salvador, Vietnam, Iraq, Burma, Bosnia and Southern Sudan. On arrival, these refugees are assisted with accommodation, furniture, food, clothing and are generally welcomed into the community.

Sanctuary Travel Loan Fund

In response to an urgent need for refugee airfares, a 'revolving' travel loan fund was set up in 1996. There is a desperate ongoing need for this help, as most refugees who are accepted by Australia under the Special Humanitarian 202 Visa Program are unfunded for airfares. After waiting for years, going through interviews, medicals, etc, many refugees who finally recieve Visa approval lose their only chance for a hopeful future because neither they nor their sponsor can fund their travel to Australia! As one Sanctuary worker put it, "It's like winning the lotto and not having the bus fare to collect it."

When we agree to help with an interest-free airfare loan, and the visa is finally approved, we go ahead and make travel arrangements for the refugee family, through the International Organisation for Migration office, and liaise with DIMIA overseas on their behalf.

Once settled, each family gradually repays their interest-free airfare loan back (over two or more years) into the fund and the money is then 'recycled' to assist the next needy refugee family.

Please make a donation by going to our donations page.