The UK armed forces are working day and night to repatriate British Citizens and their families, Afghan nationals who worked alongside our armed forces and others who, because of their work, now face serious danger if they remain. This work started in April and has been ramped up since the fall of the Afghan Government a week ago.
Local MP Maria Miller said, “The situation in Afghanistan is deeply troubling and Basingstoke residents with family members still in Afghanistan are understandably deeply concerned for their safety. Working through the Home Office I am doing what I can to ensure these cases are being dealt with as quickly as possible. The Government has in place three different routes to leave for Afghan nationals who fear for their lives if they remain in their home country: those with dual British nationality can access consular services for details of flights from Kabul; non British nationals who supported British efforts in Afghanistan including interpreters are supported by the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Programme (ARAP); priority for other specific groups who face serious danger in Afghanistan including journalists, Afghan Government officials, humanitarian workers and Afghan students studying overseas. In addition, a full Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme will begin as soon as possible, with the aim of resettling 5,000 Afghan nationals in the first year and 20,000 in the longer term, and priority given to women and girls as well as religious and other minorities who are most at risk of human rights abuses.
The priority now has to be to evacuate all those who fear for their lives because of the fall of the Afghan Government. Anyone in Basingstoke requiring further details about how to support family members can contact my office, via email to ensure a response as quickly as possible.”