Red Cross encourages temporary visa holders caught in the Covid-19 crossfire to reach out for help

A financial assistance programme helping temporary visa holders will remain open until the end of September for those experiencing hardship due to Covid.

The programme provides vouchers for food and necessities and is able to arrange payments to help with rent and utility bills.

Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri managed by Red Cross New Zealand and the Department of Internal Affairs has supported around 5000 foreign nationals since 1 July, according to the project’s leader Rachael O’Connor.

Ms O’Connor says there’s still a need for assistance among people on tourist, work and student visas, and encourages people stranded in hardship due to Covid to apply for a voucher.

The Red Cross centres have closed temporarily during the level 3 lockdown in Auckland, however, vouchers are being delivered via courier.

“We easily deliver on average $40,000 worth of food vouchers a day, sometimes could go up to $70,000- 80,000 a day,” says Ms O’Connor.

“Depending on people’s needs, if it’s urgent, because we are an essential service, we deliver them (in person). It’s about keeping people alive,” she says.

With retailers shut at level 3 in Auckland, The Warehouse allows recipients to use the vouchers for “click and collect” of clothing and heating items.

Sharmella Ponnampalam is on the frontline of the assistance programme, administering applications and fielding phone calls.

She came to New Zealand 12 years ago and knows what hardship feels like.

“When I came as a student, it was really hard, because we are getting money from back in our country…we are not a rich family.”

“So, when the students are calling me I can feel the pain.”

Ms Ponnampalam says people on student visas were working 20 hours before the pandemic, but have since then had their hours reduced significantly, especially in the hospitality sector.

The mother of a three-year-old daughter says she is proud and happy to be supporting people in need.

As the program is approaching its end at the end of September, Ms O’Connor encourages visa holders in hardship not to hesitate in applying for assistance.

She says the Department of Immigration has confirmed that receiving assistance will not affect anyone’s visa, and that personal information will not be shared.

“We know that people are here through no fault of their own,

“It’s a great opportunity for us to demonstrate kiwi culture and to look after our visitors well,” says Ms O’Connor.

To find out more and apply for Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri, click here.

To hear Rachael O’Connor comment on the spirit of Kiwi generosity that lies at the core of the financial assistance program, click here.