As Australians get back to exploring their states over the festive period, so too will the 3,000 Afghan refugees soon to call Australia home. 

Following one of the largest humanitarian crises the world has ever seen, many Afghan families have arrived in Australia with nothing but the clothes they have on, in hope of a better future. 

As part of our global commitment to support Afghan refugee resettlement programs, Uber Australia has partnered with charity and social enterprise Plate it Forward and Services Settlement International, two frontline organisations supporting Afghan arrivals as they build their lives here in Australia.

The partnership includes the provision of free rides and deliveries to these frontline organisations as they deliver meals, groceries and supplies, and organise travel to and from housing, vaccination, medical and visa appointments for 1,000 refugees.

“We have seen phenomenal impact since we launched this partnership with Uber at the start of October, being able to provide more than meals, but also relieve additional pressures around travel and setting up a new life to this community, who have arrived here with very limited resources.” said Shaun Christie-David, CEO of Plate it Forward. 

So far 25,000 culturally appropriate restaurant quality meals have been delivered to over 500 families. The program has also supported over 700 free rides for 1,000 refugees, helping them travel to vaccination, medical and visa appointments, and also from quarantine to temporary and permanent housing. We’re grateful to partner with Uber in helping this community get what they need for the best start in Australia.”

“At Uber, we believe that empowering movement, whether physically, economically, or socially, changes the world for the better and helping Afghan refugees settle in their new Australian lives is part of this mission,” said Dom Taylor, General Manager of Uber ANZ.

“We are honoured and humbled to leverage our platform to work alongside these two incredible organisations as they make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of Afghan arrivals now calling Australia home.”

We look forward to continuing our support for the Afghan- Australian community and playing our part in supporting access to opportunities in 2022 and beyond.