The leader of Scottish Borders Council has said that she is already in dialogue with the UK Government about assisting Afghan refugees, in light of the Taliban takeover.
Cllr Shona Haslam said that the Borders stands ready to ‘do our bit’ to help the national effort.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, told the House of Commons on Wednesday that the UK will welcome 20,000 Afghan refugees in addition to resettling 5,000 Afghans and their families who have helped the British effort there since 2001.
Scottish Borders Council has already welcomed 10 Syrian families as part of the UK Government response to the Syrian civil war since 2015, in line with population share.
The Home Office funds these places with over £700,000 being paid to Scottish Borders Council during the scheme to help pay for housing and education.
It has also funded English language training and a dedicated Arabic speaking Support Worker in the Borders, amongst other things.
The UK is a global leader in refugee resettlement. As a country, between 2016 and 2019, the UK resettled more refugees from outside Europe than any member state of the EU.
Cllr Shona Haslam, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said:
“The scenes of desperation we have seen in Kabul demonstrate why the Scottish Borders needs to do our bit to protect these vulnerable people and welcome them to our area.
“For many people, especially women and girls, living under the Taliban regime means putting their lives at risk by going to school or to work.
“I am proud that the Scottish Borders has rehomed 10 families from Syria and we are preparing to welcome our share of Afghan refugees too.
“I spoke with UK Government ministers this week in preparation for assisting with the evacuation from Afghanistan. The council and the Home Office have worked well together in the past to rehome these vulnerable people and we are ready to do so again.”
John Lamont MP said:
“The UK is a global leader in refugee resettlement. I am proud that the Borders and the wider UK remains a place of sanctuary for people fleeing brutal regimes.
“With funding from the UK Government, Scottish Borders Council has successfully welcomed refugees before, providing English language education and assistance with accommodation.
“We have a moral obligation to help those Afghans who have helped the British effort and those who are fleeing the hard line Taliban regime.
“Scottish Borders Council are already in dialogue with UK ministers and I am ready to help assist wherever necessary.”
