Alicia Payne calls for support for Afghan refugees left in 'appalling' living situation as Red Cross points at Canberra housing shortage

Ms Payne is calling on the federal government to work with service providers to give the traumatised refugees a safe and appropriate place to live.

It comes as the Australian Red Cross issued an urgent callout to the nation's capital for suitable accommodation, warning a "lack of affordable housing" was creating more stress for the recent arrivals who lacked rental history, and faced uncertainty settling into a new country.

The Canberra Times revealed on Thursday a family of three, who escaped Kabul as the Taliban took control, had been shifted from a one-bedroom apartment to a Canberra caravan park where they did not feel safe or welcomed.

Mustafa and Narges, with their three-year-old daughter, Helen, said the small demountable they were placed in at the caravan park had cockroaches, a leaking toilet and a bunk bed, which was inappropriate for their young daughter.

"Last night [Helen] fell," Narges told The Canberra Times.

"Don't [have] food, so yesterday don't breakfast, don't lunch. Last night four eggs. And rice. No bread."

The family said they were moved from the apartment in Kingston to the caravan park on Monday night without notice.

The Red Cross, which is contracted to provide housing and support services for the Afghan refugees, said it would not comment on individual matters.

The Home Affairs Department said under the Humanitarian Settlement Program initial accommodation for refugees is provided for 28 days until long-term accommodation is found.

All Afghan evacuees are being offered immediate settlement support, while contracted service providers, such as the Red Cross, have long standing experience working with new arrivals, a spokesperson said.

But a media statement from the charity released on Thursday evening suggested more than 100 refugees were in need of urgent accommodation in the lead up to the summer holidays.

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Red Cross' ACT regional migration manager Gop Gai said affordable housing was a critical issue.

"We currently need accommodation for 134 people, or 35 households. And with more people arriving in the next couple of months, the issue is absolutely critical," she said.

"Safe, stable and affordable housing is one of the most important parts of a newly arrived refugee's life, but the lack of affordable housing means these families are being priced out of the market."

Ms Payne said she had asked Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to personally look into the issue in order to help the family.

"It's appalling that, after what this family has been through, that Australia hasn't provided a better welcome than this. It's unacceptable," she said.

"I raised this issue with Minister Hawke on Tuesday and sincerely hope the government will work to adequately assist Afghan refugees to settle in Canberra, and around Australia."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had promised to do everything he could to help Afghan people as evacuations from the country's capital were under way.

Labor's home affairs spokesperson Senator Kristina Keneally said Mr Morrison had gone missing on this issue.

"It is the same story we see over and over again from Mr Morrison - he goes missing and has to be dragged into action - and the consequences are dire," she said.

Mr Hawke's office has been contacted for comment.

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