[Edited extract from public address]
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria (FCCV) issued the following statement in response to the Syrian and Iraqi Humanitarian Crisis:
As faith community leaders, we add our collective voice to that of many people in our Australian community who are appalled at the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding before the world and call on all countries to act quickly and concisely in addressing the plight of fleeing people.
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement to resettle an additional 12,000 refugees who are fleeing the conflict in Syria and Iraq, and to provide an extra $44 million in financial aid for humanitarian support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
We agree with the Government’s decision to give priority to those most in need of protection, including women, children and families of persecuted minorities, and urge the Government accepts the UNHCR’s recommendations on those most at risk.
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria would like to thank the thousands of people who gathered across the country earlier this month for Light the Dark vigils in support of the global refugee crisis.
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Website http://faithvictoria.org.au/
General & Media Enquiries:
Murray Davies
Chairperson of Faith Communities Council of Victoria
Email: officer@faithvictoria.org.au
Promotion of Multifaith/Interfaith Events:
Sandy Kouroupidis
Multifaith Officer of Victoria
Email: officer@faithvictoria.org.au
Faith Communities Council of Victoria is comprised of the following peak bodies: Baha'i Community of Victoria, Brahma Kumaris Australia, Buddhist Council of Victoria, Hindu Community Council of Victoria, Islamic Council of Victoria, Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria and Victorian Council of Churches.