It’s been devastating to hear and watch the crisis unfold in Afghanistan. My thoughts are will all those affected by this terrible situation, including constituents in Enfield Southgate who have contacted me about their family, friends and loved ones in Afghanistan.
Like all MPs, my team and I have been supporting many constituents affected by the crisis, including UK nationals & their dependents, interpreters, Chevening scholars and government staff. We will continue to do everything we can to help as the situation develops.
I will continue to call upon the Government to provide safe and legal asylum routes out of Afghanistan. This is part of our international obligations to all those fleeing persecution and violence around the world. The rights of women and children matter, at home and abroad – and we therefore continue to have a responsibility to the Afghan people.
I have also been deeply moved by the strength of feeling from our community. My office has received hundreds of e-mails, letters and phone calls about Afghanistan, and it has been wonderful to see local people come forward to support those in need. I would like to thank everyone who has got in touch, donated to aid organisations and charities, delivered clothing and essential items locally, or simply kept the conversation going with friends and family. For those interested in getting involved, I have included a list of aid organisations and charities taking donations and collections for Afghanistan below.
If you are based in Enfield Southgate and are personally affected by the crisis or concerned about loved ones, please do get in touch with my team and I at bambos.charalambous.mp@parliament.uk. My team will continue to try to get responses from the Government on what they are going to do to assist you and your families, and we will be in touch as soon as we have an update.
The Government has created a portal for offers of housing support for people arriving from Afghanistan. More information on the Afghanistan housing portal can be found here.
As you know, the situation is constantly changing, and we must act as soon as possible. For all those affected, I would recommend reading the latest government advice which can be found here.
Best wishes, Bambos
Aid organisations and charities providing support to Afghan refugees
- Care4Calais: For donations of clothes, shoes, phones and other basic essentials for refugees. You can also donate money to buy these essentials
- Refugee Council: Providing mental health support, children’s services and education, employment assistance, English language classes and more for Afghan refugees in the UK
- British Red Cross: Supporting health services across Afghanistan and providing essential items and support to Afghans resettled in the UK
- Afghanaid: Providing emergency assistance and supporting families who have lost their homes and livelihoods
- Islamic Relief –Afghanistan Emergency Appeal: Supporting the immediate needs of displaced people on the ground in Afghanistan and Afghans arriving in the UK
- Save the Children – Emergency Fund: Providing aid to children facing hunger due to emergencies, including the Afghanistan crisis
- UNHCR: Providing emergency shelter, hygiene kits and cash assistance to displaced Afghans on the ground