Osamah, 24, is a refugee from Yemen. He literally just landed in Melbourne on Monday to begin what’s sure to be an exciting new chapter in his life. His travel to Australia has been a long, uncertain, almost eight year journey. He and his family have faced threats and hardships every day since leaving their home. With Osamah’s arrival, the RSSP marks the beginning of a new pilot program. This new program would be an important step towards providing the assistance and opportunities that refugees need to rebuild their lives.
At only 16 years old, Osamah and his family escaped from Yemen. They looked for refuge from the war—a civil strife that had taken over their homeland. The family first moved to Malaysia, where they were on a short-term visa, similar to a tourist visa. Upon their arrival ever since, they have been beset by instability and a sense of limbo. Without formal legal status, they are denied access to fundamental rights, including formal employment and education in public schools.
Once faced with rising violence in Yemen, Osamah’s family moved to Malaysia. “We lived in the capital, and when the Houthis took over, we had to first move to another city, and then we had to move to a third city,” he explained. “My parents decided it was no longer safe for us due to many reasons and we had to flee Yemen.”
In Malaysia, Osamah was able to continue his education, eventually earning a degree in Biotechnology from Universiti Malaya. But even with such strong qualifications, he experienced incredible obstacles to finding work. “Since there is no such thing as refugee status in Malaysia, you can sign up to be a refugee with UNHCR, but you don’t really have any rights in Malaysia,” he noted. “You cannot work, you cannot study in public or private schools, you cannot have a normal life.”
The RSSP provides included refugees like Osamah the opportunity to settle permanently in Australia through Special Humanitarian Visas. This project-developing collaboration between the Australian federal government and a number of non-governmental organizations including Skill Path and Refugee Education Australia. It provides essential wrap-around services, including language services and job training and placement.
Osamah’s arrival in Australia was inspired by Canada’s Student Refugee Program, which has successfully helped numerous young refugees integrate into educational systems. With the help of the RSSP, Osamah plans to unlock his true potential once and for all. “I couldn’t really go on with my life. Everything was on hold,” he said. “But now I know that I have an opportunity.”
RSSP doesn’t just help refugees migrate, it makes sure they have the services they need as soon as they arrive. They are met on arrival by university and student association representatives that help them settle into their new life in Australia. Steph Cousins from Refugee Education Australia stated that these students are matched with institutions where they can study as domestic students and build a new life.
Osamah sounded excited about what lies ahead of him, especially when it comes to learning more about genetic engineering and gene therapy. “It’s interesting in its potential to be used to cure diseases that we thought for long were incurable,” he remarked. “Even more interesting is that we can actually prevent them from happening.”
Osamah learns the ropes in his new home. As an advocate for refugees and someone who has personally experienced the difficulties they encounter, particularly those who remain ensnared in dangerous circumstances such as Malaysia. He stresses the crucial need for pathways like the RSSP for people who want security and stability. “We left Yemen looking for a better place, a place that we can call home,” he stated. “And Australia is now that place.”
The RSSP gives a unique and important lifeline to young refugees. It represents a real opportunity for Australia to welcome people who will do great things for our communities. Tony Burke, an Australian government representative, underscored the transformative potential of this initiative: “We’re a good country, and for these students this opportunity will be transformative.”
Abul Rizvi is an refugee policy expert. He added that these programs are key to discouraging refugees from taking dangerous and expensive boat trips to Australia. He remarked that establishing new, legal pathways for refugees is not just a humanitarian imperative, it is in our national interests.
