Council pledges support to government programme to house Afghan refugees
Arun District Council is extremely concerned about the plight of Afghan refugees who are in desperate need of suitable accommodation across the UK, having fled Afghanistan after the Taliban seized back control of the country.
The government’s Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme aims to allow 5,000 Afghan people to settle in the UK in the first year and will focus on women and children, as well as other groups seen as being in the greatest danger.
As a council, we are working in close collaboration with the Refugee Resettlement Team at West Sussex County Council in trying to find suitable accommodation through the social housing route, but as supply is very short, also through the private sector.
Cllr Shaun Gunner, Leader of Arun District Council said: “It is both shocking and saddening to see the desperation of the families trying to flee Afghanistan, you cannot fail to be moved by the distressing scenes at Kabul airport shown by the news channels.
“It’s hard for us to imagine ourselves in the same situation, which is why, as a council, it’s vital that we do all we can to find shelter for those refugees who come to our district seeking help.
“The work is very much a joint effort between the local authorities but we all have a part to play in trying to lessen the suffering these people are going through by finding safe and secure accommodation for those in need.”