London welcomes 150 families from Afghanistan

London is to welcome more than a hundred families from Afghanistan after thousands were forced to flee following the Taliban takeover.

So far 27 boroughs have shown they are keen and able to help, taking between 125 and 152 refugee families arriving in the UK.

Greenwich and Enfield are taking the most people, according to a survey by London Councils. Families have already begun arriving in Ealing and Barnet under the scheme, which is mainly run via the private rented sector and community partners.

Afghans who worked with the British government and military can apply through the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy. The Government announced on Wednesday that Afghans who worked with the British government and military will be able to move to the UK permanently.

The exact number of refugees to be welcomed in London plus the full list of participating boroughs is not yet available, according to London Councils, however more boroughs are expected to join in the coming weeks.

Deputy chair Darren Rodwell said: “We have all seen videos and photos of the terrifying situation in Afghanistan right now.

“People who once helped UK and US Armed Forces are living in constant fear of persecution and death.

“This is a humanitarian crisis and we all need to do our bit to help as individuals, as a city, and as a country.”

The evacuation process in Afghanistan came to an end on August 31 when the last US soldier left Kabul marking the end of a 20-year-war.

Britain, which airlifted some 14,000 people out of the country in less than two weeks, completed its last evacuation flight three days prior.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed the government’s commitment to resettle up to 20,000 Afghan refugees and is expanding his new Right to Buy-back fund to help councils buy homes that can be used to resettle families.

He said it has been “devastating to watch the crisis unfold in Afghanistan” and that he is “determined” to do everything in his power to help.

In a call to Londoners, Mr Rodwell encouraged people to donate to their local food bank and contact volunteer centres.

Read More

What the papers say – September 1

Afghans who helped Britain will get indefinite leave to remain in UK

Taliban and UK officials open talks in Doha