An update from on the crisis in Afghanistan and the response in Wales to the crisis.
Communications
UK Government announcements
New, bespoke resettlement route for Afghans (18/8)
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bespoke-resettlement-route-for-afghan-refugees-announced
Additional funding for councils (25/8)
So far the UK has secured the evacuation of 1,615 people since Saturday, including 399 British Nationals and their dependants, 320 embassy staff, and 402 Afghan nationals under ARAP. The UK is doubling the amount of humanitarian aid to the region, up to £286 million with immediate effect, and our new bespoke resettlement scheme will be one of the most generous in British history, set to relocate up to 20,000 vulnerable Afghans.
Additional healthcare provision, access to COVID-19 vaccinations and funding for housing will be provided to support Afghans coming to the UK via the Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme
Factsheets
The accelerated Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was launched on April 1st 2021.Under the policy, any current or former locally employed staff who are assessed to be under serious threat to life are offered priority relocation to the UK regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served.
The Afghanistan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) aims to welcome 5,000 Afghans in year one, with up to a total of 20,000 in the long-term. The UK Government is working urgently to open this route, and further details will be announced in due course.
Please use these links to factsheets on both schemes:
FACTSHEET: Resettlement routes for Afghan nationals - Home Office in the media (blog.gov.uk)
Support
Support for British and non-British nationals in Afghanistan – phone numbers:
Non-British nationals in Afghanistan, or family member of non-British nationals in Afghanistan, in need of assistance, should call (+44) 02475389980. This a 24 hour a day service.
British nationals, or family members of a British national in Afghanistan should call +44 (0)1908 516666 and select the option “Consular services for British nationals” or Email help(at)fco.gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-british-and-non-british-nationals-in-afghanistan
Third Sector Support
The Royal British Legion has seen an increase in calls, and their welfare teams are already helping those who have reached out, working collaboratively with referral partners and national and local government. Anyone affected by the recent events is invited to call on 0808 802 8080. The support extends to Afghans who worked alongside the British Armed Forces and hold a HM Armed Forces campaign medal.
The Welsh Refugee Council are posting updates on their website and you can check here and here to find out more, and understand what we can all do to help.
Oasis Cardiff will offer support to any asylum seekers and refugees, including ESOL, employability, cultural integration and mental health support. Please contact info(at)oasiscardiff.org
Red Cross Emergency Response support can be requested via ERWales(at)redcross.org.uk where required.
EYST is already working with Afghan clients (Asylum seekers, refugees and Afghan resettlement scheme) and actively supporting families and individuals. Please do contact them if they can support or assist: info(at)eyst.org.uk
The African Community Centre is already offering specialist counselling service to Afghan nationals who are worried about their families back home. They are also ready to provide specialist trauma counselling services to the new arrivals in Wales with the help of experienced interpreters. They offer basic English classes divided into men and women, play therapy for children. Feel free to contact or make referrals sibu(at)africancommunitycentre.org.uk
The Henna Foundation and Women Connect First have been supporting women who are stranded in Afghanistan, attempting to leave. They believe a separate discussion on women and children and the support required is needed in order to make sure the women’s voices are heard. Their stories, experiences and needs are very unique. We’ll update you on developments.
We’d also like to share Aled Edwards’ Twitter post and film on the work of Cytun in supporting refugees from Afghanistan.
Donations
We will share details – when they are available - of any central service set up to distribute help, support and donations.
WSMP role
WSMP will continue to work with all 22 local councils and a wide range of other partners in order to respond to the humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan. The WSMP Resettlement Coordinator is matching property offers to families as they come through.
How can I help?
The main issue is finding sufficient family houses. If you have accommodation that can be offered to the ARAP Scheme please contact Emma-Louise Maher, Refugee Resettlement Officer on emma.maher(at)wlga.gov.uk
Resources already shared during the pandemic can be found on our web pages. We’re also on Twitter - @WalesSmp
