Palmerston North's Refugee Services is desperate for volunteers after Bhutanese refugees bound for Christchurch were redirected to Manawatu because of the September earthquake.
About 120 Bhutanese refugees come to New Zealand each year. Most start their new lives in either Palmerston North or Christchurch.
But housing issues caused by September's 7.1 magnitude earthquake means refugee intakes to Christchurch have been delayed, Palmerston North refugee co-ordinator Kevin Petersen said.
"Obviously Christchurch's housing situation has been severely compromised, so that does put some pressure on Palmerston North to take more than we would have normally taken," he said.
"We are not closing Christchurch down but it is taking bit of a breather."
Bhutanese refugees are normally resettled near family members, but Mr Petersen said this might not be possible because of the quake.
Palmerston North has taken 85 Bhutanese refugees this year and another 30 are expected in December, so having volunteers to help with their integration into the community was vital, he said.
Volunteers help refugees with all manner of tasks, including starting a bank account, signing up with Work and Income and finding schools and medical services.
"We are desperate for volunteers and this December intake is perhaps one of the hardest," Mr Petersen said.
"The number that we've got to find ... we're scratching our heads."
About 100 people volunteered in Palmerston North this year, and a similar number would be needed next year because of the increased total number of refugees.
But the intakes would be staggered to ease some of the pressure on Palmerston North housing, English language classes and volunteers, he said.
Though it was not the preferred option, Mr Petersen said Refugee Services could select another New Zealand city for Bhutanese resettlement if Christchurch and Palmerston North were unable to accommodate them.
The next volunteer training session in Palmerston North is on October 28. Anyone wanting to become a volunteer can call Refugee Services on 3551415.
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