The situation for former Manus Island detainees abandoned in Papua New Guinea by the Australian Government continues to deteriorate, with more refugees and their families receiving eviction notices in the past fortnight.

The threat of homelessness is exacerbating the serious mental and physical health conditions experienced by refugees who were cut off from food, financial support, electricity, transport and consistent access to medical care and secure housing almost one year ago.

Support officially ceased in November last year amid corruption reports and claims the Australian Government had not paid its bills to humanitarian service providers in Port Moresby for over one year. Following ongoing pressure by humanitarian organisations and medical bodies, Labor announced in early July it would work with the PNG Government to reinstate support to the at-risk cohort but it continues to drag its feet despite people’s lives being at risk.

Insecure housing has been a constant threat for the 42 refugees remaining in PNG with several people, including families with children, issued eviction notices and demands to front up with rental arrears of approximately AUD $110,000 in early September. After reports about the eviction notices were published in The Guardian, refugees were relocated to new accommodation but the housing is overcrowded, unsuitable for families and located in unsafe areas. Some families have also been separated during relocation.

The group of remaining refugees who’ve been held on  Papua New Guinea for over 11 years,  now includes at least 16 partners and 30 children, who are also bearing the brunt of the worsening humanitarian crisis created by the Australian Government.

As time continues to pass with refugees unable to access adequate medical care, schooling, and food and safe housing, people are becoming too unwell to engage with any resettlement process and the threat to health and life grows more serious by the day. The ASRC, advocacy groups and medical experts have continued to call on the Australian Government to evacuate the remaining refugees and their families to Australia where urgent medical care and support can be provided.

Quotes attributable to:

Jana Favero, ASRC’s Head of Systemic Change
“After enduring over a decade in PNG, it’s disgraceful that refugees continue to face uncertainty and homelessness with the constant threat of eviction. It’s like groundhog day, every few months eviction notices are served causing incredible harm and stress and it’s impossible for people to feel safe or supported while in constant fear of being evicted.

“Many are awaiting resettlement and the threat of being evicted exacerbates mental health impacts. It’s just another part of the cycle of cruelty refugees face, people who sought safety on our shores yet we abandoned them offshore.”

Anonymous refugee held on PNG
“They forced us to leave the accommodation, then PNG immigration found a place that is not suitable for a family – it is like a big garage and there was not enough room for me to stay there. It is very difficult to be away from my family, before we used to live together in family accommodation, before we used to eat together, we were always together, now it is just me alone and I feel very lonely and cannot support and protect them.

“I don’t know why I have to be tortured every day, it is not easy for me to live in this situation and every day just is getting worse. They say it is temporary, we will give payment soon but it is only talk, they have been saying this for months.”

Heidi Abdel-Raouf, ASRC’s Dention Advocacy Caseworker
“Over the last year, people have been evicted, homeless, transient and moved around like cattle a number of times. They have been relocated to alternative accommodation and some are reporting it is unsuitable due to it being old, small, overcrowded, in unsafe areas and isolated.

“The men have been moved against their will several times over 11 years, and they are distressed, exhausted and humiliated. Expecting the worst, they are are in a perpetual state of hopelessness and survive only on a day-to-day basis.”

Kevin Sweeney, Convenor of the Refugees off PNG and Nauru Working Group
“The plight of the refugees sent to PNG is a disgrace. The Australian Government sent them to PNG for “processing” in 2013 and they are still trapped there 11 years later. Some of them are seriously ill and are not receiving appropriate medical care.

“People have no money for food, electricity or other essentials. Now they are faced with the threat of eviction. The Australian Government should own up to its responsibility and bring them to Australia so that they receive basic support and proper medical care.”