County and city ready to help out refugees
COUNCILS ARE LIAISING WITH HOME OFFICE AS AFGHAN FAMILIES FLEE
LEICESTERSHIRE is on stand-by to welcome Afghans who have aided British war efforts.
The exact number of refugees to be welcomed in the city and county remains unknown, with Afghanistan in chaos after the rapid Taliban takeover, but councils have said they will join authorities throughout the UK in granting sanctuary to those who helped British troops during their mission in Afghanistan.
A city council spokesperson told the Mercury: “Like councils across the country, we will play our part in this unfolding humanitarian crisis by welcoming to Leicester a number of Afghan families who have helped the UK government and British troops.
“The numbers of those arriving are still to be established, but we are in close contact with the Home Office and awaiting further information.
“While our housing, education, social care and public health teams are working together to make the necessary arrangements, we are seeking assurance from the government that sufficient resources will be made available to enable us to give these families the support they need.”
The move comes after the fall of the capital Kabul on Sunday to Taliban forces.
Scenes of chaos, in which several people died, followed at Kabul airport as Afghans attempted to flee the country.
The council spokesperson added: “Our city has a long history of supporting our military, and those who work with them, and of supporting those who need sanctuary.
“We will do what we can to help these refugees rebuild their lives, and are ready to play our part in the UK’s response to this humanitarian crisis.”
Leicestershire County Council is also taking steps to see how it can help families fleeing the war to settle into the county.
It said it will support the refugees in line with the government’s scheme.
Their role will include ensuring access to education, social care and public health support.
Councillor Nick Rushton, leader of the county council, said: “We cannot begin to imagine what the families who come here seeking support have been through.
“We are now awaiting details of the government scheme so we can look at what we can do to help families readjust and rebuild their lives.”
The government has pledged to adopt a bespoke resettlement plan to tackle the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan following the decision to withdraw US and UK troops from the country, 20 years after they went in after the 9/11 attacks in America.