Settlement Services International (SSI) has partnered with the NSW Government to welcome the streamlined delivery of 1,200 COVID-19 rapid test kits to vulnerable culturally and linguistically diverse communities. SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis thanked Multicultural NSW for making the rapid antigen tests (RATs) available to people of migrant and refugee backgrounds. “SSI is thrilled to be part of the NSW Government’s release of RAT kits to communities,” Roumeliotis said. “Many of SSI’s community members had previously struggled to access RATs, but through the government’s support and SSI’s networks, we’ve been able to get these much-needed tests out into the community.” Roumeliotis said that the RATs would be distributed to clients and community groups based on needs across SSI’s NSW offices, including regional locations. “Over the next few weeks, we will aim to deliver 200 kits to each of our offices in Newcastle, Coffs Harbour and Armidale.” So far, over 42,000 RAT kits have been issued to multicultural groups, with more expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks. Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure, said multicultural organisations and community groups were the first ports of call to support culturally and linguistically diverse communities. “If the pandemic has shown us one thing, it’s that local community organisations are essential in supporting people from culturally diverse backgrounds,” Coure said. “These organisations have built trust over many years, and are perfect partners in getting these tests out to people who need them. “For that, I want to thank each of these groups, including Settlement Services International, for the role they have played in keeping people safe.”