‘Our duty’ to help Afghan refugees
WOUNDED EX-SOLDIER TURNED COUNCILLOR SAYS NOTTS MUST BE READY TO SUPPORT FAMILIES FLEEING TALIBAN
A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE councillor who lost a leg while serving as a soldier in Afghanistan says the county must play its part in helping to support refugees with resettlement.
Conservative Councillor Johno Lee was injured in a minefield explosion in October 2007 but now sits on both Newark and Sherwood and Nottinghamshire County Councils.
The councillor, 38, described the country’s return to Taliban control as an “emotional time”, and voiced his concerns for people living in Afghanistan.
It follows the Taliban declaring victory in the country after regaining capital city Kabul. The group have swept back to power almost 20 years after being ousted by the Us-led military forces. Responding to the situation, the Government has pledged to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees over the next five years.
It is similar to the 2014 project set up to support Syrian refugees when the country fell into civil war.
Around 5,000 Afghans will be resettled by the end of 2021.
“My personal opinion is 100 percent we all have our part to do, and we should be doing it,” he said.
“I’m a district councillor as well as a county councillor, and I know we have already taken some in.
“It’s quite an emotional time for me. While we were out there we did the best job we could, the country never fell, and that’s something to be proud of.
“But my heart and prayers go out to the Afghan people during this very difficult time. That’s why it’s our duty to offer accommodation and care to those people scared of being killed under Taliban rule.”
Several councils across Nottinghamshire have pledged to take in families.
Newark and Sherwood District Council, where Councillor Lee represents Balderton North and Coddington, is relocating two families described as in “immediate danger”.
Nottingham City Council has also pledged its support, although no numbers have been given for how many will be accommodated.
Labour leader, Councillor David Mellen, said: “Our hearts go out to the people who are the victims of the emerging situation in Afghanistan. Nottingham has always been place where refugees and asylum seekers have found refuge. As details emerge we will of course respond, as we always have done, to those in need.”
Broxtowe Borough Council has committed to housing two families, with Gedling Borough Council planning to support one family.
Ashfield and Rushcliffe said they will support the resettlement scheme once issued with further guidance.