Supporting Afghan refugees
Friday, 27 August 2021
Our thoughts go out to the families and individuals in Afghanistan affected by the current humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the country.
Central Bedfordshire Council is fully supportive of the Government’s commitment to resettle Afghan refugees in the UK and we stand ready to welcome them and support them.
Central Bedfordshire is a place that welcomes refugees, and we are ready to support Afghans in their time of need, providing shelter and safety, and helping them to rebuild their lives. A whole range of council services will be involved in ensuring refugees from Afghanistan have the support they need, these includes support from our housing team, children’s and adult social care and schools and educational services as well as health partners.
Our dedicated teams acted early to engage with the Government and we welcomed and homed our first families on 9 August, and we are supporting them to settle into their new homes and access education and employment. Working within the Government arrangements, we will continue to play our part in supporting the national effort to help those affected by the unfolding crisis.
I know that many of our residents want to help support these families, so below we have compiled a list of organisations and charities that support those affected by this humanitarian crisis.
Councillor Richard Wenham
Leader of the Council
What can you do to help?
If you want to help, you can do so by donating or volunteering through the following charities. You can also help by making any families that are relocated in your neighbourhood feel welcome and supported.
Make a donation
- British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal to help people suffering in Afghanistan
- Refugees at home is a UK charity that connects those with a spare room in their home to refugees and asylum seekers in need of somewhere to stay
- The UN Refugee Agency supports families forced to flee war, conflict, and persecution.
- Unicef is running an appeal to help protect children in Afghanistan
- Save the Children has launched an emergency campaign to support young people in Afghanistan
- Refugee council helps to resettle refugees and supports them to rebuild their lives
Donating clothes, books and toys
If you want to donate clothes/books/toys etc, you can donate these to British Red Cross charity shops. You can also donate items to Save the Children charity shops and Oxfam charity shops. The items won’t go directly to child refugees, but the money raised helps charities to support them.
Volunteering
Several charities and organisations are working with refugees across the UK. To find out more about volunteering opportunities visit the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
You could also contact the Refugee Council, the British Red Cross or Refugee Action to find out more about volunteering to support asylum seekers and refugees already in the UK.
More information about ways people can support will be added to this page as it becomes available.