Australia for UNHCR bequestor Stephanie sits smiling on an old stone wall
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Stephanie's Legacy

With her bequest, Stephanie's passion for refugees will live on.

How do you want to be remembered? For your compassion, generosity and kindness? One of the most inspiring ways to ensure the values you care about live on is to leave a bequest. 

Stephanie spent many satisfying and adventurous years working for the Department of Foreign Affairs and became well acquainted with the unfolding refugee situations in Syria, Tunisia, South Sudan and Libya. Now retired, Stephanie decided that the best way to respond to the tragic circumstances around the world was to leave a gift to Australia for UNHCR in her Will.

By remembering Australia for UNHCR in your will, you too can make a lasting impact on the lives of families forced to leave their homes in search of safety. You can ensure they receive vital support, even beyond your lifetime, providing protection, food, water, shelter, education and healthcare to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Here Stephanie shares why she chose to leave a bequest to Australia for UNHCR and ensure her passion for supporting refugees will live on.

 

Why have you been so motivated to support refugees over the years?

My beloved father who came to Australia in 1929 on documents issued to displaced persons by the League of Nations. Like most migrant and refugee arrivals he worked very hard to ensure that his children would enjoy a prosperous life and a good education. So many refugee parents must utterly despair of this.

Australia for UNHCR bequestor Stephanie

 

Why did you decide to leave a gift in your Will to Australia for UNHCR?

I am retired but spent many satisfying and adventurous years working for the Department of Foreign Affairs, including in Cambodia, Bangladesh, Lebanon and East Timor. Through my final posting in Cairo, I became well acquainted with the situation in Syria, Tunisia, South Sudan and Libya and the vital work of UNHCR. It is a sorry roll call. Most of these countries have endured terrible internal violence and several of them have become a major source of refugees or a host or transit country. My decision to leave a bequest and donate regularly to UNHCR was also triggered by footage of the suffering of Syrians both within and without Syria, a country and people of which I have many wonderful memories.

What would you say to someone considering leaving a gift in their Will to support refugees?

How lucky we are as Australians to enjoy security and stability. I am also conscious that poor countries like Bangladesh and Lebanon have, for the most part, not turned their backs on neighbours seeking refuge. They now endure a huge burden in providing for the long term care of refugees. UNHCR now faces an unprecedented demand for its services. Shamefully, 79.5 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, over half of whom are children. Many of these have no other assistance than that they receive from UNHCR. It is critically underfunded for the job it must now do.

 

 

By leaving a gift to Australia for UNHCR, no matter how large or small, you can create a legacy that saves lives.

FIND OUT MORE


For more information about leaving a gift in your Will please contact our Planned Giving Manager Aylin Salt on (02) 9276 6871 or [email protected] or download your free bequest guide here

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Our fundraising impact

The majority of funds raised by Australia for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.

75%
Humanitarian programs
13%
Admin
12%
Fundraising