'We Were Promised A New Life But We're Still Trapped': The Government Is Failing The Afghan Refugees Evacuated From Kabul

When Kabul fell to the Taliban in August last year, more than 15,000 people were evacuated to the UK. At least 8,000 were Afghan nationals, quickly housed in hotels up and down the country. The ‘contingency accommodation’ was meant to be temporary, but five months later there’s no sign that any of the families are going anywhere.

For those who can afford to rent their own homes, the Government has offered no clarification on whether leaving will affect their applications for permanent status in the UK. Are they obliged to stay where they’ve been placed? Will the Home Office lose touch if they move out of the hotels? Charities like Refugee Action say they are asking these questions to no avail.In the meantime, the reports of welfare issues in the hotels are causing concern.

Louise Calvey, head of services and safeguarding at Refugee Action, says change is needed. ‘There does need to be improved support from the Government on what is required to make these hotels safer environments so there is a quality approach to healthcare, mental health provision and inclusion in every single one,’ she says. ‘It’s going to take an awfully long time to house these families and the Government needs to address the reality of these circumstances.

‘When we got to the airport the Taliban were shooting and everyone was screaming. My siblings had never seen guns before and they were terrified, I don’t think they’ll ever forget that day,’ she explains. ‘You feel like they’re not children any more. They come out with such shocking things, like “the Taliban ruined out world and it won’t get better”. We didn’t know it would have such an impact on these babies that don’t understand anything about it.

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