A 23-year-old who spent years of his life stuck in a camp in Iraq before seeking refuge in Armidale said the inland city's settlement services are lacking.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On August 3, 2014, ISIS attacked Anwar Hakrsh's village in the small town of Sinjar/Shingal in Northern Iraq.
Mr Hakrsh remembers people fleeing to the Sinjar mountain while ISIS killed men and kidnapped women.
Syrian forces helped him into Syria and then to camps in Zakho in Northern Iraq, where thousands of people still live.
"To be honest living there is really, really, really hard for everybody," Mr Hakrsh told the Leader.
"It was really hard to be honest cause there is no job, no work, no money. No choice."
READ MORE:
The 23-year-old is part of the Ezidi (Yazidi) community which is indigenous to parts of Iraq, Syria and Turkiye.
Between 2014 and 2017 they experienced what the United Nations (UN) described as genocide against them by ISIS.
More than 600 refugees now call Armidale home since residents and the council campaigned for it to become a resettlement location.
In 2017 he, his mother and some of his brothers were told by the UN they could live in Australia. The family finally felt certain they would be safe and free.
But resettling was a challenge.
"When we got Australia from the beginning, it was really hard, but after that, step by step, it's becoming easier and easier," he said.
There's much more to be desired from Settlement Services International (SSI), he said.
He said SSI needs to help people who don't understand English read their mail and pay their bills.
"That's really important in Australia, because whenever you're receiving a post or a mail, if you don't respond it then you will be paying more or pay tax," he said.
"There is no help."
Since 2019 Mr Hakrsh has been studying to become a pharmacist and works at Priceline.
With his ability to speak three languages - Kurdish, Arabic and English, he hopes he can help the diverse communities of his new home.
"Honestly, I just want to be a pharmacist in Armidale and help all communities here," he said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
Eva Baxter
Eva is a Northern Daily Leader journalist based in Tamworth. She covers health, politics, energy, arts & entertainment, business, community, and a bit of everything else.
Eva is a Northern Daily Leader journalist based in Tamworth. She covers health, politics, energy, arts & entertainment, business, community, and a bit of everything else.
