The Mayor of Newham has offered Borough support to help resettle Afghan refugees as the government announced an emergency resettlement scheme for up to 20,000 refugees following the takeover of the country by Taliban forces.

In a statement on August 18, as the government recalled parliament to discuss the crisis, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said Newham was ready to extend support to help refugees fleeing persecution.

She said: “I am calling upon the UK government to do all they can to help as many people as they can. In Newham we stand ready to work with the government to support the resettlement of humanitarian refugees with the right financial support from central government.”

She also acknowledged the need to give priority to vulnerable groups particularly women, children and religious minorities who are most at risk from the Taliban takeover.

“Like all of us,” she said, “I am horrified to see the events unfolding in Afghanistan and my heart goes out to the people of Afghanistan, especially the women who will suffer the loss of many of the freedoms that we all take for granted. I know that if I lived in Afghanistan I would be one of the first people the Taliban would target for persecution because of who I am.”

Mayor @rokhsanafiaz announces that Newham will be accepting an initial 10 refugee families as part of the Afghan resettlement programme. Officers are working closely with VCS and faith sector partners to ensure that our new arrivals can receive a warm welcome in the borough.
— Newham London 💙 (@NewhamLondon) September 20, 2021

Some of the many organisations offering support to displaced people in Afghanistan

The Church of England Chelmsford diocese covering East London, including Newham, and Essex issued a statement saying that its Refugee Engagement Team is ready and resourced to support parishes in welcoming and supporting Afghan refugees. Information here.

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