EIGHT families with around thirty children will be the first to settle in Armidale next year.
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And, Armidale Regional Council is steering the welcoming committee.
Providing the refugees with a safe place to live is an honour for Council, Cr Debra O’Brien said.
“As refugees they would have gone through significant trauma and dislocation,” she said.
“One of those groups have been consistently victims to attacks by ISIS over long periods of time and massacres.
“So I think it’s wonderful that we’re able to be part of abilities to welcome people into our community.”
Escaping conflict in Iraq and Syria, the families are Kurmani Kurdish speakers that practice the ancient faith of Yazidism.
Most of these people lived in Northern Iraq until 2014, when they were targeted by the Islamic State of Iraq.
Mass killings and abductions by ISIS forced thousands of these people to flee into the mountains or Kurdistan.
The Yazidi religion is a mix of elements from ancient Iranian religions, Judaism Christian and Islamic beliefs.
Arriving in February, the refugees will be met at Armidale Regional Airport by Settlement Services International workers.
Most will come here with limited English and nothing more than a suitcase.
In their first week, the families will meet with a case manager to plan how they will learn English, find long-term accommodation, education and employment.
They will be registered with banks, Medicare, Centrelink, schools and the Adult Migrant English Program.
In weeks three and four the families will learn about Australian law – their rights and responsibilities.
By the six month mark it’s expected the families will have long-term housing, employment and be able to speak sufficient English.
Cr Peter Bailey has already met with businesses in town that are prepared to employ refugees with basic trade skills.
“If we can quickly identify their skill sets, I think the best way to integrate is to work,” Cr Bailey said.
“If we can identify their skill sets we can help them find opportunities.”
The majority of working-age arrivals to Armidale have backgrounds in agriculture or farming.
Others have experience as teachers, construction workers and bakers.
Everyone who has been accepted to live in Armidale has passed a series of rigorous health, character and security checks.
The first group of refugees will arrive in Armidale in February 2018.