Sunderland prepares to house Afghan refugees

Sunderland is still awaiting further information on possible numbers in the resettlement programme.

But Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller, said that organisations including Together for Children, social housing companies, and health groups have been meeting this week to see how they can help the Afghan Refugee Programme.

Talkss with the city's voluntary and community sector are also ongoing.

Councillor Miller said: "Sunderland is working to support the national resettlement programme.

"If Afghan refugees arrive in Sunderland they will be supported with accommodation and assistance. Obviously we are all saddened to see the tragic scenes in Afghanistan and it's only right and correct that we look to where and how our city can offer support. We very much want to assist Afghans who are resettling in the United Kingdom.

"The first and most important aspect of this is accommodation and the City Council is working with the city's social registered landlords on what housing could be available.

"As well as housing we are working with Government to understand the terms of new funding arrangements to support response efforts and also what help we can supply through our strong voluntary and charity community.

"Our voluntary and charity community has already shown its resilience in the last 18 months and we know it will do this again if it comes to helping Afghan refugees. The City Council along with all its key local partners will again be working in partnership on this humanitarian crisis.

"Sunderland, as we know, has a big heart and our city will show and demonstrate its friendliness, neighbourliness and warmth to Afghan refugees."

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said nearly 8,500 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan by the UK since August 13.

In a update on Operation Pitting on Tuesday morning, the MoD said on Twitter: “8,458 people have been evacuated by the UK since 13 August. 5,171 of those people are Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy claimants. Nine UK military flights have left Kabul in the last 24 hours.”

The council says it has received enquiries about help and assistance, and to help coordinate responses please contact [email protected]