Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
We recognise the ongoing efforts of the UK Government and of organisations including the Afghan...
Recommendation
We recognise the ongoing efforts of the UK Government and of organisations including the Afghan Solidarity Coalition and the Sulha Alliance to evacuate eligible Afghans remaining in Afghanistan or in third countries. It is concerning, however, that, according to the MOD’s own estimates, several thousand eligible Afghans— whose safety is by definition at risk in Afghanistan—remain to be evacuated under the ARAP well over a year after the end of Operation PITTING. We recommend that the Government set out in their response to this report what action they are taking to ensure safe passage to the United Kingdom for eligible Afghans who remain to be evacuated under the ARAP. (Paragraph 54) Mental Health of Veterans
Government Response Summary
The government outlines ongoing efforts to relocate ARAP-eligible Afghans, stating over 12,200 have been relocated, fewer than 620 remain inside Afghanistan, and they are committed to finding and relocating them and their families.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
a) We owe a debt of gratitude to those Afghan nationals who risked their lives working alongside UK forces in support of the UK mission in Afghanistan. We have rightly committed to relocating to the UK all ARAP eligible Afghans and their families. We are honouring that commitment and ensuring that when they arrive in the UK, they are set up for a successful new life. b) Since the start of the ARAP scheme, we have relocated over 12,200 vulnerable Afghans to the UK (applicants and their family members), including some 5,000 since the end OP PITTING. Getting Afghans with confirmed ARAP eligibility to safety outside of Afghanistan is a key priority. We continue to support the 2 HCDC Report HC 725: Withdrawal from Afghanistan, para 45 3 HCDC Report HC 725: Withdrawal from Afghanistan, para 51 Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Government Reponse to the Committee’s Fifth Report 5 movement of ARAP-eligible Afghans into the safety provided by our third country partners at best pace and in a way that minimises risk to life in an increasingly challenging operating environment on the ground in Afghanistan. c) Due to operational security considerations, we are unable to provide specific details on our ongoing relocation efforts inside Afghanistan and with our third country partners. However, a finite number of Afghans are eligible for ARAP and we estimate from HMG records that fewer than 620 Afghans eligible for relocation to the UK under ARAP remain inside Afghanistan. We are committed to finding and relocating them and their family members – approximately 3,075 people in total. Mental Health of Veterans