North Wales can play 'significant role' in helping Afghan refugees, politicians say

Politicians across North Wales have given their views on the refugee crisis in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of British and US troops last week, a topic that affects every part of the UK as local authorities commit to helping individuals and families evacuating the country to find a new home.

The UK has so far welcomed more than 2,000 refugees under the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy (ARAP) for “locally engaged staff” who are at risk of reprisals due to their work in support of British forces, with about 2,000 additional applications currently being processed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised that 5,000 Afghans would be given refuge in the UK this year under the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), with up to 20,000 over the longer term.

Local authorities across the region confirmed they are taking part in the resettlement programme: at present, they will each take on one refugee family, while Gwynedd Council has accepted two individuals, with more expected in the coming weeks.

Darren Millar MS.

Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West and cross-party chair on faith, said he believes more than 20,000 refugees if the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, adding that religious minorities are “very fearful for their future”.

“20,000 is a good start but I suspect we will need to take more if the situation in Afghanistan gets worse,” he said.

“We are a big-hearted nation with a tradition of welcoming refugees fleeing political or religious persecution.

“The UK is one of the wealthiest nations on earth, of course we can afford to help. I'm thrilled to see councils across North Wales wanting to play their part in offering a welcome and place of sanctuary to those who need it.

“If we can find money for HS2 and a new national yacht, then we can find the resources to support families in need from Afghanistan.

“We certainly need to take our fair share of refugees but arbitrary targets can be unhelpful. Some local authorities have greater housing capacity than others.”

Mr Millar added that his cousin, who serves in the army, has been deployed to Afghanistan to assist in the rescue effort.

He said: “I have a cousin who is serving in the army who has just been deployed to Afghanistan to assist with the military effort there and, as Chair of the Senedd's Cross Party Group on Faith, a number of faith-based organisations have been keeping me posted on the situation developing in Afghanistan for those in religious minorities. Many, especially Christians, are very fearful for the future.”

David Jones MP

David Jones MP said he has received “a large number” of emails from constituents who are concerned about the safety of Afghan refugees. He said the resettlement schemes put in place by the UK Government are “the most generous in our country’s history”.

Mr Jones said: “ARAP and ACRS are two of the most generous resettlement schemes in our country’s history, offering permanent homes in the UK to individuals who have been forced to flee their homes or face threats of persecution from the Taliban.

“Those local authority representatives I have spoken to are keen to do what they can to help in the effort. I am not aware of any targets; no doubt it is a question of each local authority making an assessment of what it can do.

“I have received a large number of emails from constituents expressing concern for the plight of those Afghans who have assisted the UK. All feel very strongly that every part of the country should do its bit to help in the current circumstances.”

Janet Finch-Saunders

Janet Finch-Sanders, MS for Aberconwy and shadow cabinet member for climate change, said she believes Wales “will have a significant role” in responding to the crisis and urged the Welsh Government to provide support to local authorities.

“The devastating scenes unfolding in Afghanistan have been incredibly concerning, and so I am pleased that the UK Government’s new resettlement scheme will help thousands of at-risk Afghans, many of whom are in need of assistance,” she said.

“The UK has a proud history of welcoming those fleeing persecution or oppression and the Afghanistan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme works to further underline that strong commitment.

"Wales will have a significant role in this resettlement scheme and I am incredibly proud that all six local authorities in north Wales have committed to offering safe havens to at-risk Afghan refugees fleeing their homeland.

“For this to operate as smoothly as possible, Welsh Government Ministers in Cardiff Bay must also step up to the plate and provide support.”

Mark Isherwood, MS for North Wales.

Mark Isherwood, MS for North Wales, said the region should become “a region of sanctuary” for refugees from Afghanistan.

He said: "Whilst we cannot be precise about the exact numbers involved, our immediate priority must be the safety and evacuation from Afghanistan of all British Nationals, deployed military personnel, and Afghans who risked their lives working alongside the UK.

“North Wales must play its full part as a 'region of sanctuary' for Afghan refugees, with both the Welsh Government and our local authorities collaborating with the UK Government resettlement scheme to achieve this.”

Sam Rowlands, MS for North Wales.

Sam Rowlands, MS for North Wales and former leader of Conwy County Borough Council, said the ACRS “underlines” the UK’s “proud history” of helping refugees fleeing war and persecution.

“In this troubling situation, I’m proud to see councils all across Wales step up to the plate and offer safe homes at a time when these refugees need our support more than ever,” Mr Rowlands said.

“We have a proud history of welcoming those fleeing persecution or oppression and this move, as part of the Afghanistan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme, just underlines that commitment.

"This number of 20,000 refugees being supported is a significant number of people being helped, we know it’s a fast-moving situation, and I’m sure this will be kept under review.

"Local authorities across Wales have supported people in need for decades; if there are resource challenges I am sure councils will work with both UK and Welsh Government to deliver on services that are needed.

"Councils are best placed to know how they can support people in their area, this will vary from place to place, but I’m sure all Councils will do what they can to support those in need."