The Red Cross has been heartened at the response from Dunedin since it put a call out to volunteers to help with the resettlement of refugees.
The charity is busy preparing for the arrival of 40 to 45 Syrian refugees in Dunedin in April after it was announced the city would become the country's sixth resettlement area.
• Welcome ready for Syrian refugees
• Migrants flock to the Otago region
Red Cross southern humanitarian services manager Sue Price said 120 people had applied to be volunteers since it put a call out last month and about 30 people had applied for the three team leader positions it had advertised.
The strong response showed picking Dunedin as an extra resettlement location was "absolutely'' the right choice.
"It just confirmed what we knew before the announcement was made, that Dunedin was ready and willing to get involved in this.
"I just think that people have identified really well with the plight of refugees.''
Red Cross was still looking for more volunteers - with up to 150 volunteers needed over the year from April - and a quick look through the applications showed there was a lack of people who could help out during the day on weekdays.
Volunteers would do a variety of things, including helping refugees become familiar with their new neighbourhoods and helping them set up their houses.
It would be holding training sessions for volunteers in March.
