Photo credit: Greek Herald
The founder and chief executive of a Melbourne charity supporting asylum seekers has made a tearful appeal after thieves targeted the organization for the second time in just a few days.
The Greek Herald reports that Kon Karapanagiotidis, who runs the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, revealed that the charity’s Footscray site had been broken into twice within 48 hours. It caused significant distress and disruption. He shared the news in a video sent to X on Wednesday.
He said, “I’ve been here since 4am this morning, we’ve had doors kicked in, glasses broken. Over these two days, we’ve had laptops stolen, nappies, sleeping bags, thousands of dollars worth of pre-paid Myki cards, and emergency packs taken. The place has been turned upside down.”
Since its founding in 2001, the ASRC has been a vital lifeline for asylum seekers, providing food, assistance with refugee status applications, and employment support. Karapanagiotidis noted that in the months leading up to Christmas, demand for the charity’s foodbank services had surged by 50%.
The burglaries are expected to cost the charity tens of thousands of dollars in stolen goods, repairs, and the necessary security upgrades.
The ASRC is now appealing for donations to help recover from the losses, with Karapanagiotidis urging anyone who can contribute through the charity’s website or dropping off food at their donation locations.
