'Day by day I lose weight': asylum seekers on Nauru get $115 a week, but a bag of grapes costs $20

Asylum Seekers Struggle to Survive on Nauru's Meager Allowance

Day by day, these individuals are forced to make impossible choices about how to spend their dwindling allowance. A $230 fortnight stipend is barely enough to cover the basics, but on an island where a bag of grapes costs $20 and a quarter-sliced watermelon $24, it's clear that something has to give.

The Australian government's policy prohibits asylum seekers from working, claiming it's to prevent them from accessing better-paid jobs. However, this effectively leaves them with no means to support themselves. Many are forced to turn to illicit work on construction sites or petrol stations just to put food on the table.

"We cannot survive on the $230 per fortnight allowance," says one asylum seeker, who wishes to remain anonymous. "The money is not enough because everything is expensive here – rice, fish, we cannot buy any fruit here, internet for $100 per month. How is it possible to survive?"

As a result, many are losing weight and suffering from poor health due to the lack of nutritious food. One asylum seeker confides that he can only afford two meals a day, and has even resorted to skipping breakfast in order to make ends meet.

A bag of grapes, which costs $20 on Nauru, is a luxury few can afford. A quarter-sliced watermelon retails for $24, while small boxes of cereal cost $15. The high prices are unsustainable for many asylum seekers, who are already struggling to cope with the lack of basic necessities.

The pressure on these vulnerable individuals is exacerbated by the threat of forcible deportation to a hostile country of origin if their protection claim is not accepted. Many fear that they will be returned to countries where they have fled persecution and violence, putting their lives at risk.

"It's unconscionable" says Ogy Simic, advocacy head of the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, "that asylum seekers are being punished for doing what any of us would do in the same situation." He calls on Australia and Nauru to ensure that asylum seekers have access to work, food, and basic human dignity.

The UN human rights committee has also ruled that Australia remains responsible for upholding the non-refoulement rights of asylum seekers sent to Nauru. This raises serious questions about the morality of the Australian government's policy and its willingness to prioritize economic interests over human lives.

As the situation on Nauru continues to deteriorate, it is clear that something needs to be done to address the dire living conditions faced by these individuals. The Australian government must take immediate action to ensure that asylum seekers have access to basic necessities, including food, work opportunities, and protection from persecution. Anything less would be a betrayal of their human rights.

I'm literally worried sick about these people ! $230 fortnight stipend is not enough, especially when everything on the island is so expensive . It's like they're being forced to play a game of survival where they have to choose between eating or paying bills. How can you expect them to stay healthy with no nutritious food and high prices for basic stuff? It's unconscionable that Australia is treating asylum seekers this way, especially when there are so many resources available .

As a parent, I would want my kids to have access to food, water, and work opportunities. It's like they're being forced to grow up too fast . And what really breaks my heart is the threat of deportation. If these people can't survive on the island because of the lack of basic necessities, what are they supposed to do when they get sent back to their countries? It's a nightmare scenario that needs to be addressed ASAP.

The government and Nauru need to step up and provide more support to these asylum seekers. They need access to work, food, and protection from persecution. Anything less would be unacceptable . We can't just sit back and watch people suffer because of a policy that's supposed to protect them

it's just not right , these ppl are already in a super tough spot having fled their homes & seeking refuge... now they're being forced to make impossible choices about how 2 survive on basically nothin? $230 fortnight stipend is barely enough 4 the basics, let alone enjoying some luxury like grapes or watermelon . it's not just about the money tho, it's about havin dignity & basic human rights... ppl r losin weight, gettin sick from lack of food... & then u got these ppl bein threatened w/ deportation 2 hostile countries? no thanks

it's just not right, they're living in poverty & struggling to survive on 230 bucks every two weeks... can't even afford basics like fruit or cereal $20 for grapes?! that's insane how are they supposed to survive with no work options? they deserve better than to be treated like this

OMG, like I cant even believe whats goin on in Nauru ! These asylum seekers are literally strugglin to survive with only $230 fortnight stipend its like theyre stuck in some sort of cruel experiment . Can u imagine havin to choose between eatin or payin rent? like, what even is that?

And don't even get me started on the prices of food and internet I mean, I know Australia's not the cheapest country in the world but come on $100 a month for internet? That's like, crazy expensive! And a bag of grapes costs 20 bucks? what even is that kinda money?

I'm totally with Ogy Simic on this one he's right, asylum seekers deserve basic human dignity and access to work and food . Like, it's not too much to ask for, right? And the UN's sayin that Australia's gotta uphold these non-refoulement rights so like, what's goin on? is this just some kinda cruel politickin?

Anywayz I'm totally in favor of changin this policy and gettin asylum seekers the help they need . Like, we should be supportin our fellow humans not discriminatin against them . We gotta make sure these people have access to basic necessities and protection from persecution . Anything less would be soooo wrong

I'm totally with the Aussie gov on this one ... I mean, why should they just hand out free money to people who are trying to cheat the system? They're not exactly in a desperate situation, are they? They get $230 fortnight and can still afford all that fancy grapes and watermelon . It's not like they need it to survive or anything. The problem is that they're not taking advantage of the "free" resources on the island - they should be making their own way, just like everyone else .

And let's be real, if they don't want to work and support themselves, then why should the rest of us have to pay for them? It's a matter of personal responsibility, you know? They need to toughen up and start making their own way in this world. The gov's policy is actually doing them a favor - it's keeping them from getting too comfortable and losing sight of what's really important: making a living .

I think the Aussie gov is being super reasonable here . I mean, why should these asylum seekers just get free money and everything they need? That's not how it works in real life. They came to Australia with no job skills or experience, so they're lucky if they can even find a part-time gig on Nauru. And yeah, $230 fortnight is basically the Aussie equivalent of minimum wage, but hey, you get what you pay for, right? If they want to survive, they'll have to hustle. It's not our problem, mate

ugh this is so heartbreaking i mean what kind of system allows people to go without basic needs like food & water? $230 fortnight stipend is literally peanuts on an island where everything costs double the price of back home it's not just about money tho, its about dignity too - these ppl are fleeing war/ persecution & should be treated with kindness & respect

Ugh this is so messed up on Nauru people are literally struggling to survive on like $230 a fortnight it's insane they're being forced to choose between going hungry or paying for internet I mean what kind of system is that? And don't even get me started on the prices on the island $20 for a bag of grapes is ridiculous and the fact that people are resorting to illicit work just to eat is just devastating

omg i cant even imagine how hard it is 4 them $230 4 fortnight is literally not enough 2 survive on nauru is like $20 lol and watermelon is even more expensive i feel so bad 4 the asylum seekers who r struggling 2 make ends meet we need 2 help them out ASAP it's not right that they r being punished 4 trying 2 escape persecution australia needs 2 take responsibility 4 their policy & ensure asylum seekers have access 2 work, food, & basic human dignity

I'm low-key shocked by the struggles of asylum seekers on Nauru . It's crazy how the $230 fortnight stipend just isn't cutting it for them. I mean, who can survive on that? It's like trying to live on a diet of ramen noodles and regret . And those prices on Nauru are OUT OF CONTROL ! A bag of grapes is like $20?! What even is that?

I'm also really frustrated that the Aussie gov't won't let them work, claiming it's to keep them from accessing better jobs, but really it's just a way to kick them while they're down . It's so inhumane and I can see why people are losing weight and suffering from poor health due to the lack of nutritious food .

The fact that they're being threatened with deportation back to countries where they've fled persecution and violence is just unacceptable . We need to stand up for their human rights and make sure they have access to basic necessities, including food, work opportunities, and protection from harm . It's time for the Aussie gov't to take responsibility for its actions and do what's right .

I cant even believe its 2025 and we still havnt figgered out how to treat refugees on nauru . Stats dont lie: 1 in 4 asylum seekers is suffering from poor health due to malnutrition . The average allowance of $230/fortnight barely covers the basics, let alone decent food or internet . Construction workers makin illicit cash on the side for survival...its sad but thats reality .

On a broader scale, did u know that australia spends 3.5 billion AUD on offshore processing since 2001? Meanwhile, refugees are strugglin to survive . The UN human rights commitee has spoken out against aus policies, and its time our govts listen . We need to rethink our approach & prioritize basic human dignity .

A quick snapshot of the situation: 74% of asylum seekers report experiencing depression or anxiety due to their circumstances . 42% are forced to rely on food banks for sustenance . Its time we acknowledge the inhumane conditions ppl r facin & make changes ASAP .

I feel so bad for those asylum seekers on Nauru . They're literally fighting for survival with barely enough money to cover the basics. $230 fortnight isn't going to cut it when everything is ridiculously expensive there. It's like they're trapped in a never-ending cycle of poverty and desperation.

And what really gets me is that they can't even work to support themselves because of some bureaucratic rule . That just seems so cruel and heartless. I mean, I know we all want to protect our borders, but surely there's a way to do it without putting people's lives at risk?

It's like the system is failing them, and it's not just Nauru or Australia that's to blame – it's the whole global community . We need to step up and make sure these people have access to basic human dignity, food, and work opportunities. Anything less is just unacceptable .

I think its actually really great that Australia is being super strict about this policy It means they're not gonna let these asylum seekers just freeload off the system forever. I mean, who wants to work in some construction site for minimum wage when you can just sit at home and collect a stipend? Plus, all those fruit prices are prob just an excuse for people to be lazy

Ugh I'm literally so sad about this Nauru's situation is like... what even is the point of having a system that's supposed to protect people if it's just gonna leave them to struggle and survive on almost nothing? It's like they're being forced to make impossible choices between their basic human needs. And yeah, the price of those grapes and watermelons is wild $20 and $24 for a bag and a slice respectively... how are they even supposed to afford that?!

And it's not just about the financial struggles, it's also about the mental toll this must be taking on these people. I mean, can you imagine having to choose between eating or paying your rent? It's like, what kind of system allows for that?! And then there's the threat of deportation... it's just so harsh and inhumane.

I think we need to take a step back and ask ourselves why we're treating people this way. Is it really about economics or is it something deeper? Like, are we just too scared to open our borders and accept some responsibility for these people's lives?! It's hard to fathom the thought of being in their shoes.

We should be ashamed that our governments are putting profits over people like this. The UN human rights committee has basically said that Australia is violating its own human rights commitments by sending asylum seekers to Nauru... it's like, how can we even call ourselves a civilized society?!