The United Kingdom wants to receive up to 20,000 Afghans in the coming years through a resettlement program for refugees. In the first year, 5000 people will be admitted, in addition to the 5000 Afghan interpreters and other staff who have worked for the British. Girls, women and other (religious) minorities at risk under the Taliban are given priority.
“I want to make sure that as a country we are doing everything we can to support the most vulnerable groups fleeing Afghanistan to start a new life safely in the UK,” said Home Secretary Patel. “This resettlement program for Afghan civilians will save lives.”
In an opinion piece in The Telegraph Patel calls on European countries to also take in Afghan refugees. “The UK is doing everything it can to encourage other countries to help. Not only do we want to lead by example, but we simply cannot do this alone,” Patel wrote.
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