How can we work together to better support vulnerable migrants? Watch our panel discussion on the challenges that newly arrived migrants including refugees and asylum seekers face in accessing vital services in Australia, and explore solutions.

Mali Hawkins is completing a Masters in not-for-profit and social enterprise management as well as managing community services programs for Red Cross in NSW.

Jessica Shonk is a social worker and Team Leader of Australian Red Cross’ Refugee and Asylum Seeker Emergency Relief program.

Amanda McClelland is a senior Public Health officer at the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent societies and joined Red Talks via a live Skype-cross from Geneva. Amanda has worked in many international humanitarian crises around the world including heading the successful Ebola response in 2015. Amanda tells us what it was like heading the response to the cholera outbreak in East Africa and is interviewed by Antony Balmain.

Jess Lees, recently returned from Somaliland, shares personal stories of the people that she met at the heart of the crisis. Since becoming an aid worker, Jess has been on the frontline of many humanitarian emergencies, however sadly describes the situation in East Africa as the worst that she’s seen.

Melissa, who works in our emergency service team, explains what it's like responding to emergencies, from massive storms to the Sydney Siege, and the vital role of our volunteers. Melissa helps Red Cross to help people build their capacity to cope with an emergency. She talks about Red Cross’ work with childcare centres to plan ahead for an emergency, which will make you re-think why it's vital to have a disaster plan.

When Rachel's relatives lost their home in a fire she really learnt the value of community. "After that happened everyone rallied around. There were email lists that went out asking what the family needed, there were people who said 'I've got a spare bed in the garage. I've got spare clothes.' " Rachel, who works in our emergency services team, shares her story of resilience and how to protect what matters most in an emergency.

Yvette has the job that many lawyers dream of – she runs our International Humanitarian Law program and advises on our unique approach to humanitarian advocacy. She joined Red Cross in 2011, driven by her personal passion to raise awareness about the laws of war that protect the rights of people caught up in conflict.

Nimal came to Australia to study for his PhD and started volunteering for Red Cross back in 2011 by offering support to Tamil refugees and asylum seekers from Sri Lanka. Today at Red Cross he helps to empower small community organisations and newly arrived migrant communities in Western Sydney.