Fact: Yes.
Red Cross has been working with and advocating for asylum seekers and refugees for decades.
Australian Red Cross is part of the world's largest humanitarian organisation, with millions of volunteers, members and staff in more than 180 countries. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement seeks to prevent and reduce human suffering, wherever it is found. All our work is underpinned by our Fundamental Principles including humanity, neutrality and impartiality.
Every day, we work to help people seeking asylum, refugees, trafficked people, people who are stateless or in immigration detention, and families separated by war, conflict, disaster and migration based on their needs.
We assist asylum seekers through a number of programs, including those funded by the Department of Immigration. These programs represent a humane and cost-effective alternative to prolonged stays in immigration detention and enable asylum seekers to participate in, and contribute to a community while they wait for an outcome on their application for protection.
Red Cross also conducts confidential advocacy with federal and state governments to encourage them to adopt and promote humanitarian policies towards asylum seekers and refugees. We seek to promote humane and considered public debate about complex policy issues, and encourage parliamentarians to ensure a focus on humanitarian outcomes.
In addition to advocacy, Red Cross has led the development and implementation of programs to support people living in the community while they wait for the outcome of their protection visa applications.
Our advocacy and other work is strengthened by our commitment to help prevent and reduce the vulnerability of all migrants, to protect them against abuses, exploitation and denial of rights.