Greenwich Council has pledged to resettle refugees fleeing Afghanistan in response to the Taliban takeover.

The arrival of the Taliban in Kabul, and with it the expectation of a strict new regime, has led to desperation for many to leave the country, particularly those who have worked alongside British or American forces and fear reprisals.

The UK Government has pledged to take 20,000 refugees – including 5,000 in the next 12 months – but more could arrive by unofficial means.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “The Royal Borough of Greenwich has a proud history of supporting those fleeing war and persecution who want to make our borough their home.

News Shopper: UK Armed Forces taking part in the evacuation of entitled personnel from Kabul airport in Afghanistan (PA)UK Armed Forces taking part in the evacuation of entitled personnel from Kabul airport in Afghanistan (PA)

“Last year, we passed a motion to start the process to become a Borough of Sanctuary, because we believe that everyone deserves a safe place to live.  

“Whilst the government has pledged to take in 5,000 Afghan refugees over the next year, we support City of Sanctuary’s call to provide refuge for an additional 10,000 as part of the global resettlement scheme. 

“We also call on the government to make sure councils have the resources they need to rehouse and support families who may have experienced unimaginable trauma.” 

The council is unable to give the number of refugees it could take in until further details of the government’s scheme are known.

The borough previously took in 19 Syrian families through the Greenwich Sanctuary Project Resettlement Programme.

Approximately 1,800 UK nationals and more than 2,200 Afghans who helped British forces are the focus of the Government’s current evacuation efforts.

The 4,000 people due to be evacuated would join the 6,000 which the Ministry of Defence has confirmed have already been flown out as part of the UK rescue mission in Afghanistan.

On Monday morning, armed forces minister James Heappey said 1,821 people had been evacuated on eight flights in the last 24 hours, and expected nine more UK flights would leave Kabul in the next day.

He added that the numbers of people which the UK wanted to evacuate from “Afghan civil society” had “grown significantly” in recent weeks, in an effort to resettle those who may face recrimination from the Taliban.

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