Red Cross southern humanitarian services manager Sue Price said three of the eight families arriving next Friday would settle in Mosgiel, establishing a community of former refugees.
She said Red Cross had always planned to eventually settle some of the new arrivals in Mosgiel.
While the organisation had volunteer support organised for the incoming August group, they would be hosting two volunteer information meetings in Mosgiel at 3pm and 6pm on August 25 to encourage more Mosgiel residents to become refugee support volunteers, she said.
Red Cross volunteer team leader Leisa de Klerk said if people came along to the meetings, it would fast-track the process for those interested in helping.
If people could not make the meeting, they could apply online to be a volunteer.
Ms Price said people wanting to attend the meetings should contact the Red Cross first and they would be advised of the meeting location.
Red Cross Pathways to Employment Dunedin employment adviser Jarrah Cooke said the aim of settling refugees in Mosgiel was to set up another community in a different suburb.
Mosgiel had ``lots of opportunities'' and easy access to shops.
Ms Price said they had talked to ``key people'' in the process of setting up Mosgiel as a resettlement suburb and hoped residents would be very welcoming even if they could not volunteer,.
While the group arriving on August 19 would again be made up of Syrian refugees, the following group, who would arrive in October, could include Palestinian refugees, she said.
To register for the volunteer information sessions, phone Red Cross on 477-1527 or 0800 RED CROSS, or email dunedin@redcross.co.nz.
- Greta Yeoman
