Edinburgh City Council leaders say they are ‘committed’ to helping ‘those fleeing for their lives’ from Afghanistan.
The UK Government has not yet unveiled the details of its plans to provide shelter for Afghan refugees, but today Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC Breakfast it is looking at a ‘bespoke arrangement’ for those forced out of the country by fear of the Taliban.
Council leader, and SNP councillor for Leith, Adam McVey, said: “Nobody can fail to be shocked and appalled by the news coming out of Afghanistan and as a city we stand ready to help in whatever way we can.
“We are in contact with the UK Government and are developing plans for how best we can offer support.
“We hope to be in a position to confirm the level of Edinburgh’s involvement very soon. We will continue to work rapidly with partners in the City to ensure that support for those fleeing for their lives is in place.”
Depute council leader, and Labour councillor for Forth, Cammy Day, said: “Edinburgh has a long and proud history of welcoming people escaping desperate circumstances such as this.
“We will engage with the UK and Scottish Governments and are committed to doing everything in our power to help those fleeing Afghanistan during this turbulent time.”
The UK Parliament is set to be recalled early from its summer recess on Wednesday to debate the situation in Afghanistan, along with plans for a resettlement scheme.
The Home Office says the UK has already admitted more than 3,300 Afghan interpreters, staff and their families for resettlement.
The Syrian resettlement scheme, which ended earlier this year, took in 20,319 people across the UK, with Edinburgh welcoming a number of these.
As of Tuesday, August 17, Canada had already pledged to take in 20,000 Afghan refugees.
