CathNews New Zealand

The Salvation Army, which is running care services for asylum seekers on Nauru Island, says facilities should be improved before women and children are transferred there.

Salvation Army spokesman Paul Moulds says women and children should not be sent yet, because asylum seekers are sleeping in tents while the compound is under construction.

“We certainly would be keen to see more development happen with facilities prior to that happening,” he said.

“But at the end of the day, that’s not our decision, and I’m sure that the intention is that the facilities are developed far further before that happens.”

Major Moulds says asylum seekers have been confined to the compound, but expects they will soon be able to move around the island.

“That’s certainly the intention. It’s only days since the first arrival has been received,” he said.

“We’re starting to plan activities, we’ve started our first English-type classes and that was great, they loved that.

“So at the moment it’s basically just looking after people and making them feel as welcome and comfortable as they can in situations which are not the ideal but which will get better.”

 Source

• PINA
• Image: The Telegraph

Additional reading

• Children to be sent alone to Nauru
• More work needed on Nauru's Asylum Centre
• First of many asylum seekers settle into tented accommodation on Nauru
• Hope asylum seekers will become part of the community
• Asylum seekers 'extremely anxious' over possible transfer to Nauru

News category: Asia Pacific.