Support For Afghan Refugees Pledged By Wealden District Council

Thursday, 26 August 2021 16:48

Afghan refugees arriving in Wealden will be provided sanctuary as the local council has pledged support to help those fleeing the war zone.

Wealden District Councillor Ray Cade, the housing and benefits portfolio holder at the authority, said:

“In Wealden we are committed to playing our part in providing a safe and welcoming place for vulnerable people coming to the UK.

“We are very proud of our diverse, multicultural community and place great value on the richness people from all over the world bring to life in our district. We are also proud to have been among the first councils to commit to the resettlement scheme for refugees from Syria, in 2015, and to have supported many other refugee families to settle happily in the district.

“We are well placed to support the Afghan refugees due to our experience and success gained from resettling Syrian refugees.

“Like many other local authorities, Wealden stands ready to provide sanctuary for those fleeing the terrifying events taking place in Afghanistan, but the government must ensure we are properly resourced to provide the safe haven and specialist support that these people need and deserve.

“As we have watched the traumatic events unfold over the past week, our thoughts have been with all those affected - particularly women and girls, the LGBT+ community, civil rights activists and all others fearful of what the future may hold.

“We work in close partnership with local organisations, including the NHS, to support the health and wellbeing of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, and enable them to fully participate as valuable members of the Wealden community.

“However, resettlement of refugees, with the appropriate support needed to ensure they can live healthy and fulfilling lives, is a complex process that requires leadership and coordination at national level, as well appropriate funding.

“We are in discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about how we can support the emerging scheme for refugees from Afghanistan, and call on the government to ensure councils are properly funded to undertake this vital work."