The Yazidi people traditionally lived in northern Iraq, where many of their holy sites are located. Yazidis believe Yazidism is the oldest religion in the world and it incorporates aspects of Islam, Christianity and, as well as elements unique to Yazidism.

After fleeing religious persecution in Iraq and Syria, and living in Turkish refugee camps, hundreds of Yazidis have settled in the regional city of Wagga Wagga, under the government’s Special Refugee Intake Program, as part of the 12,000 refugees they promised to resettle from the conflict in Syria and Iraq.

Wagga Wagga has been a  refugee settlement area for over four decades and has also resettled hundreds of refugees from across Africa and Asia in the past 12 months. There are now hundreds of Yazidis and this is made up of 45 families groups.

“After fleeing IS massacres, war and disasters, they are building new lives in rural Australia. Regional cities provide many similarities to their former lives,” said Krissa Wilkinson.

The Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group began sending warm, knitted clothes to Wagga Wagga for their first winter in Australia.  

“Our most recent delivery included clothes, bedding and toys generously provided by compassionate locals and delivered by David Cameron from Kendall,” said Krissa.

For more, go to www.mncrefugeesupport.org or Facebook Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group or write to PO Box 87, Kendall NSW 2439