Refugees and asylum seekers detained on Nauru have expressed desperate concerns about their ability to access food, claiming they are forced to skip meals due to insufficient funds. Despite the Australian government allocating approximately $1.5 million (US$989,504) per person to a U.S. prison contractor to manage their housing, the contract notably excludes food provisions.
One asylum seeker anonymously recounted how their fortnightly allowance of $230 (US$151) from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs is not enough for survival, forcing them to often forgo meals. “We didn’t know coming to Australia was a crime,” said the individual, highlighting the dire conditions on the island.
Another detainee shared that the high costs of imported food prevent them from affording necessary fruits and vegetables, leading to deteriorating health. “Every day I feel I’m dying … most of the time I think my life has no meaning,” they lamented.
The contract with MTC Australia, which recently saw its funding extended to $364 million (US$240 million) for continued operation of the regional processing facility, does not cover basic living expenses such as food or employment opportunities for the asylum seekers. The company, a subsidiary of the Management and Training Corporation, has earned a total of approximately $786 million (US$518 million) from managing Australia’s remaining offshore processing systems. Currently, only men are housed on the island, with 105 individuals detained—90 in the Nauru community and 15 in the processing center.
Compounding these challenges, a third asylum seeker reported being physically assaulted at work, prompting him to resign, further exacerbating his financial and food security issues. “$230 a fortnight is not enough to survive. I can’t work any more because I got assaulted at work,” he stated, claiming a lack of protection from the local police when seeking help.
In light of these worsening conditions, Jana Favero, deputy chief executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, criticized the government’s handling of offshore processing contracts, labeling it as “breathtaking negligence.” Favero emphasized that taxpayers should be outraged by the fact that vulnerable individuals are facing food insecurity while the government spends substantial amounts without accountability.
Advocacy groups are calling for immediate reforms, citing historical concerns surrounding the humane treatment of asylum seekers in Australia’s offshore facilities. As discussions continue about the moral implications of Australia’s immigration policies, there is hope that the dialogue could lead to more compassionate and just approaches in addressing the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.