Settlement Services International (SSI), a leading not-for-profit organization providing a range of humanitarian services, has launched The New Roots App to help refugees adjust to their new homes in Australia.
The application, which was also included cooperation with beyondblue and was funded by donations from the Movember Foundation, was “designed for men settling in Australia, specifically for those on humanitarian visas and from refugee backgrounds,” explains the application’s description on YouTube.
On the application’s description, it states that the application hopes to assist refugees and asylum seekers by promoting health and well-being, assisting with participating in community life, and facilitating access to community and government services.
When asked why the application was “made for men”, an SSI representative commented that research shows men seek help differently to women.
“This app is designed specifically for men because research shows that men from many different cultural backgrounds seek help differently to women. In many instances men may prefer to use a tool, such as this app, privately to seek support about their health and well-being or settling in a new country,” explained SSI in a comment on YouTube.
“Women tend to be far more ready to ask people in person for that kind of support. So it’s just a case of different methods for different people. That’s not to say that women settling in Australia won’t also find this app very helpful. We believe, and hope, they will.”
The new application, which is now available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store, will be available in Arabic, Farsi, English and Tamil and will provide a number of services, including tips to promoting health and well-being, a place to allow users to connect with other community members, employment guides, information for emergency and support services, and more.
For example, one tutorial and video that comes with the application explains how renting works in Australia and what rights people have.
The launch of the application comes as nearly 12,000 Syrian refugees are expected to arrive in Australia in 2016. Thousands of refugees from other countries are also expected to make Australia their home in 2016.
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