Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council “does not have a position” on the potential resettlement of Afghan people in the borough, it has been confirmed.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans have been trying to flee the country and the UK has agreed to take in up to 20,000 refugees, including 5,000 this year.
This number is on top of an existing scheme for interpreters and other Afghans who have worked for the UK government known as the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
It is understood the Government will work with stakeholders, including devolved administrations to ensure that Afghans, who will be rebuilding their lives in the UK, have the support they need and that further details will be announced in due course.
As a humanitarian scheme, funding will be made available to enable local authorities, schools and health partners to provide vulnerable refugees with a safe environment and the chance to rebuild their lives.
When asked if Council has plans in place to take any refugees from Afghanistan, how many people it will take and where in the borough they will be based, a spokesperson for the local authority responded: “The council currently does not have a position on this matter”
