A military camp in Wales will be used to house large numbers of people fleeing the Afghan Taliban who risked their lives to support the UK.
Up to 180 people will be housed at East Camp, a Ministry of Defense (MoD) housing estate in St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan.
The first group of families seeking refuge from the Taliban will be 50 people, half of them children. south wales argus I will report it.
The trip to the sleepy village is said to be a one-way ticket for those who will probably never return to Afghanistan.
Those arriving at the camp will come from Pakistan, where they previously lived to escape the Taliban.
180 Afghans who collaborated with the British government and military are housed at a Ministry of Defense housing estate in St Athan, south Wales.
The site can accommodate 200 people and will be used by eligible families under the Afghanistan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
ARAP supports people and their families who have worked for the British Government and Armed Forces in Afghanistan or in a variety of roles, including as interpreters.
Afghan nationals eligible to migrate to the UK under ARAP may enter the UK with dependent children, partners and additional relatives if the Ministry of Defense considers them eligible and the Home Office considers them suitable for migration. can.
On 27 March, Colonel Sion Walker, deputy commander of 160 Welsh Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Jackson detailed the plan.
They said Afghan families will initially be placed at Reception Readiness and Moving On (RSOM) sites.
After six weeks, they will be moved to permanent homes across the UK.
When Afghans arrive, they will be entitled to medical care and plans are already in place to ensure that their children receive an education.
Families arriving under the ARAP scheme are given unlimited leave to stay in the UK and can travel back and forth as often as they wish.
East Camp was previously used as a training ground for Royal Air Force technical students.
Following consultation with the Welsh Government, the Ministry of Defense has extended the lead until Christmas, according to the South Wales Argus.
The Ministry of Defense said it was working with the Welsh Government and Vale of Glamorgan Council to ensure the project was managed “with everyone in mind, especially those living locally”.
A MoD spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the brave Afghans who have risked their lives to work alongside our forces in support of the UK mission.”
“To enable ARAP-eligible families to begin settled life in the UK as soon as possible, the UK Government is providing transitional settled accommodation from defense estates, including East Camp St Athan. ”
“Eligible Afghans will be temporarily housed there for approximately six weeks before being moved to more permanent accommodation.”
This comes after asylum seekers held at Penary, Pembrokeshire, protested in 2020 over living conditions on the premises.
One demonstrator held up a placard that read: “We fled from war to prison” after being detained in the seaside village of Penary, Pembrokeshire.
Around 230 migrants arriving in Britain from the Middle East were sent to a former army training center in a sleepy holiday village.
Up to a dozen refugees protested outside the base, holding placards that read “Where are human rights” and “We want justice.”
A person holds a cardboard banner that reads: “Refugees have the right to stay in their homes,” “We want a better environment,” and “Save us from COVID-19.” There were too.
The men’s arrival initially sparked protests from local residents who feared it would affect local services and housing prices in the village of 800 people.
Later, far-right activists took part in demonstrations, and anti-racism groups also gathered at the center.
The refugees, all between the ages of 18 and 35, arrived in Penally in September 2020 and are expected to stay for up to a year while their asylum claims are processed.
The men are primarily from Iraq and Iran.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford had previously called for the men to be removed from Penalee, saying it was an inappropriate place.
They will be given unlimited leave to stay in the UK and will be able to travel back and forth as often as they wish (Photo: St Athan’s East Camp)
Mr Drakeford said: “It is unacceptable that the Home Office has repeatedly failed to address serious issues regarding living conditions in penal camps.”
“The Welsh Government and local service providers have continually reported to the Home Office that there are serious deficiencies in the standards of accommodation for asylum seekers.The Home Office has so far taken no meaningful action. do not have.
“The welfare and safety of local asylum seekers must not be compromised and the Home Office must prioritize the welfare of local communities.”
A Home Office spokesperson previously said: “During these unprecedented times, the Government is working with a range of partners and departments to secure further accommodation, and the Ministry of Defence has offered to use some of its sites. ” he said.
“When using emergency accommodation, we have developed a process to ensure cost-effectiveness and to ensure that asylum seekers in need of emergency accommodation have access to suitable accommodation while their claim is being processed. We will work closely with local authorities, law enforcement and other organizations throughout.”
