UK Defense Secretary: Afghan resettlement scheme ‘Not an Endless Process’
John Healey, the UK Defense Minister, announced that over 1,000 eligible Afghan families have been relocated to the UK in the past 12 months. He emphasized that this process is not indefinite, and the government plans to conclude the Afghan relocation program.
Healey explained that starting next spring, Afghans arriving in the UK will be housed in temporary accommodations for up to nine months until permanent housing becomes available.
In a letter to the British Parliament on Wednesday, he stated, “Over the past year, we have welcomed approximately 90 eligible families each month, and we expect this trend to continue.”
He added, “Ultimately, the government intends to conclude the resettlement programs for Afghans in the UK. We will share further details on this matter with Parliament.”
The minister highlighted that “successful resettlement involves integration and supporting newcomers to rebuild their lives in their new home.”
Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, thousands of Afghans have been relocated to the UK through these programs. Most of these individuals were collaborators with British institutions and military forces in Afghanistan.
The Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme was formally launched in January 2022. The then-Conservative government pledged to resettle up to 20,000 Afghans in the UK over the coming years.
While the resettlement program has provided safety and a new start for many Afghan families, concerns remain about the limited capacity of the scheme and the challenges of integration into UK society. Advocacy groups urge the government to extend its commitment, ensuring no eligible Afghan collaborators or at-risk individuals are left behind.
The closure of the program will require careful planning to avoid leaving vulnerable Afghans without support. The UK must balance its resettlement goals with the broader humanitarian responsibility to aid those affected by the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.
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