Logan local Elijah Buol, a Sudanese refugee, has dedicated his career to helping those in need.
He has shared his story of loss, fear and refuge to commemorate Refugee Week, which runs until June 24.
Mr Buol is the Queensland leader of Australian Red Cross’ migration programs and a father of four, with qualifications in law, justice, and human services.
He helps refugees find employment, enrol their children in school and navigate Australia.
He also helps them access long-term housing, healthcare and visas.
“Australian Red Cross provides emergency funds for the basics of survival – food and a place to sleep,” Mr Buol said.
“While behind the scenes, we work to change systems that disadvantage refugees.
“And most importantly, we let them know – ‘I am with you on this journey. I hear you. I understand your issues. You are not alone.'”
Mr Buol was born during Sudan’s second civil war in 1985, surrounded by gunfire and haunted by stories of missing and killed friends and family.
“The conflict took my mum’s life when I was six, and my dad’s when I was nine,” he said.
“I spent eight years growing up alone in a refugee camp in Uganda before finding refuge in Australia.”
Mr Buol came to Australia when he was 16 years old.
He said the Red Cross team aim to celebrate the “strength, resilience and contribution” of refugees.
“Refugee Week shines a light on the incredible stories of refugees in Australia, their strength, resilience and contribution, and is a wonderful opportunity for people to better understand how they can provide a welcoming and supportive environment for refugees in their own communities,” Australian Red Cross chief of staff Penny Harrison said.
“There are many ways people can get involved in Refugee Week, including signing up to a local event, learning more about refugees and asylum seekers, and taking practical steps to build a welcoming and inclusive community.”
She said Red Cross supported more than 47,000 people from 165 countries last financial year.
“… among which are people who came to Australia as refugees, families seeking asylum, and people on temporary visas or without visas,” Ms Harrison said.
“Every day, Australian Red Cross works to support refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia, regardless of where they come from or how they arrived.”
Refugee Week was from 19-24 June 2023, and World Refugee Day was on Tuesday 20 June.
