The government has announced a $37.6 million program to assist temporary visa holders facing serious hardship due to Covid-19 induced economic disruption.
A programme to assist foreign nationals in serious hardship has been announced today by Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Poto Williams.
The Assistance for Foreign Nationals impacted by COVID-19 Programme will provide temporary, in-kind assistance to eligible people to help meet basic needs such as food and accommodation.
60, 000 temporary visa holders have left NZ since March 2020
“Nearly 60,000 foreign nationals have departed New Zealand since March. We have been working with foreign missions since April asking them to assist their citizens, including with repatriation efforts, and the New Zealand Government has an expectation that they provide ongoing support for their citizens,” Mr Peters said.
Due to the exceptional circumstances that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, this Programme will continue the assistance provided by the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Groups,” said Ms Williams.
“This programme is will provide short-term assistance until they find means of supporting themselves in New Zealand or are able to return home,” said Ms Williams.
Currently, the government is in the process of identifying a suitable non-government organisation through which the program will be delivered and assistance provided.
Despite the latest financial assistance program, the key message from the government remains same for temporary visa holders facing financial hardship - to plan to return back to their home country as early as possible or where earliest travel is not possible, to contact their respective embassies and consular assistance.