More councils in Hertfordshire agree to rehome Afghan refugees
Two more councils in Hertfordshire have committed to rehoming refugees from Afghanistan.
Two more councils in Hertfordshire have committed to rehoming refugees from Afghanistan.
Stevenage Borough Council and East Herts District Council have announced they intend to take part in the Government’s resettlement programme.
In total, five of Hertfordshire’s 10 district councils have now committed to taking part in either the recently announced resettlement scheme, or the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) – which is aimed at welcoming people who assisted British forces during the conflict.
The Leader of Stevenage Borough Council said it’s a “humanitarian and moral duty” for every place in the UK to welcome Afghan refugees.
Other councils have said they are waiting for more information from the Government about the support available, or do not own housing stock so cannot commit to rehoming any refugees at this stage.
Neither council has confirmed the number of families they intend to resettle and more details are still to be confirmed.
East Herts are expecting to begin welcoming families from the end of next month, while no timeline has been set in Stevenage.
Council leaders have also insisted that it will not detract from providing homes for local families currently on waiting lists.
Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, Councillor Sharon Taylor (Labour, Bedwell) said: “I am sure that people in Stevenage will be as moved by the pictures coming from Kabul Airport as I have been. For the brave citizens of Afghanistan who have worked alongside our own armed forces, the future is at best uncertain, at worst potentially dangerous and frightening. We hope our government will do everything possible to ensure they are able to reach the air bridge then escape from Afghanistan.
“It is now our humanitarian and moral duty for every place in the UK to play its part in welcoming these refugees, many of whom will have the most terrible memories of previous Taliban regimes. Those who did not live through this previously will be living in fear already from the stories of violent reprisals being meted out to those who have worked for UK and US forces.
“We have previously done this for the seven Syrian refugee families who made their homes here when they fled that war-torn country. The warm-hearted people of Stevenage will open our door and our hearts to those fleeing unimaginable terror in Afghanistan.
“We know there is already a housing crisis in our area which we are working as hard as we can to resolve, we will continue to do so, and as we work to welcome refugees, we will of course continue to seek secure housing opportunities to enable us to help Stevenage people in housing need.
“We are currently working rapidly to assess the availability of private rented property so that we can apply to the government for the appropriate funding and support package for the number of refugee families we can realistically welcome here.
“As we have always done, Stevenage stands ready to provide a safe haven for those who have served us and who, in these desperate circumstances, now need to make a new life away from their homeland. “
A East Herts Council spokesperson said: “We are in on-going discussions with the Home Office and our partners with a view to being able to support the placement of refugee families from the end of September/early October. Our team are working closely with housing providers to discuss the potential of making homes available.”
East Herts Councillor Alexander Curtis (Conservative, Great Amwell) added: “We have a moral duty to resettle those who worked with us that now find their lives at risk as a result of NATO’s surrender in Afghanistan.
“I am really pleased that we are able to play our part in supporting national efforts by resettling these families in our local area.
“They served our country at great risk to help bring peace, prosperity and security to Afghanistan, and thus thoroughly deserve our gratitude.”
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Dacorum Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council had all previously confirmed they would be rehoming Afghan families.
Other councils have said that they are keeping the situation under review and are aiming to support those coming from Afghanistan in other ways if possible.
In Hertsmere, around 150 people are currently living in two hotels within the borough and are being supported by the council and the Home Office. Another hotel in Dacorum will soon also temporarily host families.
These families aren’t refugees, but awaiting a more permanent option in the UK and hold visas.
Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Councillor Morris Bright (Conservative, Elstree) said: “It’s almost impossible to imagine what it must be like for the Afghan people at this time of great peril and uncertainty.
“Like other local authorities across the UK, we stand ready to support all those who have had to flee their homes because of the violence and fear proliferated there by the Taliban.
“We are in close and regular contact with the Home Office and the East of England Strategic Migration Unit around the support that is currently being offered to approximately 200 Afghan individuals temporarily accommodated in two hotels in our borough, with further voluntary support being provided by the Red Cross.These are people, and their families, who supported the British Army during its presence in Afghanistan predominantly working as interpreters.
“Through our experience of resettling Syrian families in the borough, we know that any support we provide must be co-ordinated and meaningful.
“While we’re reviewing the government’s latest resettlement scheme, we will continue to provide as much support as we can, in conjunction with other councils, public sector organisations and charities in Hertfordshire.”