The Australian Council for International Development is an independent national association of Australian non-
government organisations (NGOs) working in the field of international aid and development.
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media release
Australian Council for International Development
19 October 2009
08/09
MORE ASYLUM SEEKERS WILL COME UNLESS PUSH FACTORS TACKLED
More asylum seekers could be expected to try to come to Australia unless the Australian Government
works to tackle problems that are causing people to flee from their homelands, warned the peak body
for Australian aid agencies, the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
The end of the civil war in Sri Lanka and continuing hostilities in Afghanistan, and neighboring
Pakistan, are pushing increased numbers of people to seek refuge around the world.
ACFID has called on the Australian Government to urgently engage the Government of Sri Lanka to
close huge internment camps. Australia needs to invest more aid in rural livelihood programs in
Afghanistan to assist people to rebuild their lives after years of conflict.
ACFID Executive Director, Marc Purcell said: “The Government needs to tackle the problem of why
people are fleeing at its source, and not just the second last stop in Indonesia. There are compelling
factors pushing people to escape from their country, particularly Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
In Sri Lanka, there are very dire humanitarian needs. Over 255,000 people are displaced and currently
being held in internment camps in northern Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan army, in the wake of the end of
the civil war.
The Australian Government needs to step up its dialogue with the Sri Lankan Government to urgently
get these camps closed. People need to be processed quickly and allowed to return to their homes as
the rainy season has started, and we could face a humanitarian disaster.
The current approach towards internally displaced people- insufficient resources, a lack of speed in
processing, and a lack of transparency and freedom of movement for civilians from displacement
camps - is breeding uncertainty about peoples’ futures.
“Continuing hostilities in Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan are also pushing Afghans to seek
refuge around the world. Australia needs to invest more aid in rural livelihood programs in Afghanistan
to assist people to rebuild their lives after years of conflict,” continued Mr Purcell.
Afghanistan has had high numbers of refugees returning home in recent years – with more than 4
million since 2002. However, now as the situation deteriorates we should not be surprised that people
in Afghanistan are once again seeking stability and peace outside of their country. Increasing conflict in
neighbouring Pakistan means it is becoming increasingly unsafe for refugees to continue to seek
refugee there,” he said.
Longer term, Australia needs to assist Sri Lanka with the process of reconciliation. Investment and aid
from the international community are going to be important in helping rebuild livelihoods and trust in the
war shattered north of the country.
Interviews: Marc Purcell - 0450 961 561
NEWS 
