In these turbulent times we're currently living in and an overall fear-of-the-other vibe that seems to be setting in globally, I want to be more proactive about helping make things better for the world around me in whatever capacity I can with the resources and skills I have. One of the issues I feel is of a high importance right now is around refugee resettlement. With many of the worlds governments closing the doors to those in need, it’s more important than ever that individuals who care about human rights do something with their energies that goes a step further than retweeting the latest doomsday articles and clicking ‘like’ on a friend’s post.

One of the small ways that I realized I could contribute is with music. While I don’t have a huge amount of money, if I can use my music to assist in causes I think are worthwhile then that’s a start. In my home country of New Zealand one of the organizations doing great work in the area of refugee resettlement is the New Zealand Red Cross. Their work on the ground alongside other local organisations in helping refugees to settle into life in New Zealand and help find work is particularly impressive, and their advocacy in pushing for New Zealand to lift it’s refugee quota in light of events across the globe is something I fully support. Their response to the New Zealand Prime Minister’s comments on the US refugee program suspension sums it up nicely…

“We agree that it is the kiwi way to welcome refugees and believe that New Zealand has been a world leader in this regard,” says Anne Smith, acting Secretary General of New Zealand Red Cross.

In the current global climate support for refugees, and upholding obligations to protect them, has never been more important.

Long conflicts around the world have exacted a terrible price on civilians, among them high numbers of women and children and Red Cross is concerned that the current refugee quota in New Zealand does not match the global humanitarian need.

“The majority of refugees are women and children, an emergency intake could assist some of these families who are most vulnerable,” says Mrs Smith.

As the primary provider of refugee resettlement support in Aotearoa, Red Cross is confident that New Zealand has the capacity to do more to meet the ongoing humanitarian need.

“The continual offers of support we have from kiwis demonstrates that people care about what’s happening on the global stage and want to help.”

New Zealand has a world class refugee resettlement programme which means we are in a position to respond to urgent humanitarian need. An emergency intake now is both possible and urgently required."

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Freedom Of Movement is a piece of music I produced in collaboration with Los Angeles based pianist and programmer Mark de Clive-Lowe and Berlin based bassist Matt Dal Din. As a long form and abstract instrumental journey through multiple forms, my hope with this piece is that the modal harmony and off kilter rhythms gives some sense of unpredictability as well as forward motion that is representative of the long and arduous journey a refugee would need to take to find a better life for themselves.

100% of the artist’s proceeds from the sale of Freedom Of Movement go to the New Zealand Red Cross in their efforts toward refugee resettlement. While I’ve set the minimum buy at $5, please feel free to donate more if you can. It really makes a difference.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and helping to support those in a great amount of need right now.

Myele Manzanza.