Charities say they are now forced to make the "gut-wrenching" decision to stop providing financial support to the group by mid-September. Photo: ASRC
The Australian government has introduced new measures for refugees in Papua New Guinea that detractors have labelled a "death sentence".
Canberra has struck a deal with Port Moresby which effectively strips the capital's asylum seekers of free housing, food, and healthcare.
The refugees were placed into off-shore detention by Australia more than ten years ago.
Australia's Green Party claims the government has come up with a pact which will force 60 refugees in Port Moresby to live in poverty.
A fact sheet from PNG's Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA) says refugees are now going to receive a weekly cost of living allowance of 900 kina, the equivalent of $NZ385 or $US222.
Those with families could receive additional support and lump sum payments are available for training or case resolution purposes.
However, Green Party immigration spokesperson David Shoebridge said refugees - including the sick - could face eviction from their homes next month.
He fears some may not survive the move.
"This is some of the worst government policy playing out," he said.
"This is the legacy of an ongoing system of cruelty towards refugees by the Australian government. For many people in Australia, this is just miles away - it's someone else's problem."
Shoebridge met with Asian and Middle-Eastern refugees recently, many of whom were mentally or chronically ill.
"You can't go and see it and not want to fix it. It's an appalling abuse by the Australian government and to throw it all on the PNG government is really part of a very colonial mindset."
The Refugee Action Coalition says the deal reflects Australia's ongoing abandonment of asylum seekers.
Its spokesperson Ian Rintoul said neither Australia or PNG accept responsibility for their welfare.
"It's a really disgraceful form of people trafficking," he said.
"They're concerned to wash their hands completely and that's what this latest deal is about as well.
"Our concern is that it would remove overall responsibility for the health, welfare and accommodation of people that Australia sent there in 2013 that are now the PNG government's responsibility."
A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Department in Canberra said PNG was responsible for the management of refugees who were formerly under Canberra's regional processing arrangements.
"The Australian government does not have any role in the ongoing management of, or service delivery arrangements, for individuals remaining in PNG," a statement said.
"Both governments have agreed further support to assist PNG to help refugees achieve a permanent migration outcome, through settlement in PNG, third country resettlement or voluntary return."
However, Rintoul said there is no future for refugees in PNG and no political will in Australia to settle them elsewhere.
"The PNG government and the departments associated will keep taking money from Australia.
"They don't care about the level of services provided; Australia will keep throwing money at it to keep refugees out of Australia. For them, they see it as a cheap way of buying votes."
Faisal Elzeiny, a 50-year-old Muslim refugee from Cairo in Egypt, has been carjacked, beaten, and robbed during his 11 years in PNG.
He told RNZ Pacific he barely sleeps and spends most of his time alone in his bedroom.
"I'm stuck in PNG, you understand, very bad, not safe. We have power cuts and no water."
Faisal has two daughters, aged 3 and 5, and dreams of moving them to New Zealand.
"I want to start a new life, just if I fly to NZ I want to work in my job."
Meanwhile, he collects cartons of free drinks supplied at his lodgings and sells them for around 120 kina or $NZ50 a week, to buy food.
RNZ Pacific reached out to the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service for comment.
It is not the first time the Australian government has denied any responsibility for the refugees, who were initially sent to PNG's Manus Island in 2013.
In April 2016, PNG's Supreme Court ruled that the detention of refugees on the island was illegal and breached the country's constitution. A group of 42 refugees were later moved to Port Moresby.
