UK is working on “Operation Warm Welcome”, to ensure Afghans arriving in the U.K. receive the vital support they need to rebuild their lives
The United Kingdom (U.K.) Government today, i.e., Wednesday, September 1, 2021, announced that Afghans who have worked with the Government in Afghanistan or have risked their lives can live in U.K. indefinitely.
The Government is working on “Operation Warm Welcome”, to ensure Afghans arriving in the U.K. receive the vital support they need to rebuild their lives, find work, get education and integrate into their local communities.
People who have already relocated to the U.K. under the “Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)” will be able to apply free of charge to convert their temporary leave into indefinite leave. This will give Afghans the certainty and stability to rebuild their lives with unrestricted rights to work and the option to apply for British citizenship in the future.
Taking it to twitter, the Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson said,”
Our country has a proud history of helping those in need. We will prove that once again through our support for the Afghan people we’ve welcomed to the UK. https://t.co/3ZU05vOYbM
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) September 1, 2021
To provide a promising future to children, U.K. has allocated £ 12 million to prioritise additional school places for children and to provide school transport, specialist teachers and English language support to them. The Government will also offer undergrad and postgrad scholarship to 300 students and provide free English courses for adults. While many of them do speak English as they have been working with the U.K. Government and British Forces as translators, language classes will ensure all their family members can fully integrate into their local communities.
Families who need support navigating the system will also have access to liaison officers who can work with local authorities to help them get set up with a GP, National Insurance number, school place, accommodation and more tailored support, as required.
Johnson also said that U.K. owes an immense debt to those who worked with the Armed Forces in Afghanistan and that U.K. is determined to give them the support they need to rebuild their lives in the U.K.
The Government will provide £ 3 million of additional NHS funding so that Afghans arriving under ARAP Scheme, can access healthcare and register with a GP once they leave quarantine. They all will get Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. As of now, more than 700 such people have been quarantined and have received their first dose of the vaccine.
£ 5 million will be given to councils in England, Wales and Scotland to meet the housing demand of Afghans. The Communities Secretary will convene a roundtable with council leaders from across the country in the coming days to harness the generosity of the British public and make sure those who want to help know where to turn.
