LEADER readers have shared their concern for the plight of Afghan refugees set to come to Flintshire and Wrexham as part of a UK-wide resettlement scheme.

The UK Government is set to offer sanctuary to 5,000 Afghan citizens this year and up to 20,000 in the longer term, in a bid to help them escape the Taliban regime.

The Afghan capital, Kabul, fell to the Taliban on Sunday and now citizens remaining there fear for their lives.

Wrexham Council has offered to house up to 10 families as part of the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Programme and Flintshire Council is also in discussions to see what support they can offer. These Afghan citizens' lives are at risk because they have supported Western military forces in Afghanistan.

We shared a story about various organisations, including Flintshire and Wrexham councils and charities like Refugee Kindness - North Wales and Flintshire City of Sanctuary, preparing to offer sanctuary and support to Afghan families. After we shared this article via our Facebook page, we were inundated with comments.

Here are a selection of the supportive comments made by our readers.

Mel Hough said: "The Afghan refugees that are coming over worked with British forces there and put themselves and their families in danger. They are incredibly brave."

She said that someone she knew had worked with many Afghan people while over there, describing it as a "role he was proud to do for his country", adding "bring them over, keep them safe."

Beth Lewis said: "I said to my youngest yesterday that if any of these poor people are housed locally I will do what I can to make them feel welcome."

Rachel Booth said: "So very sad watching the news and seeing the desperation these people have to get out of there home, women and children running and fearing for their lives and futures is just awful. I just hope they all find safety and a way out."

Tania Williams said: "It’s unimaginable what these people have been through. A lot of them will have assisted the allied forces and will therefore be targets for the Taliban. We can’t expect their help and then turn our backs.

"How desperate must they be to risk clinging to the under carriage of an aircraft and freeze or fall to their death rather than face what they know the Taliban will do to them. This is a humanitarian mission and their lives need protecting and saving - just thank God it’s not you."

Matter of life and death

Andrew Wellbeloved said: "These people helped the US and British military and if they remain in Afghanistan will probably face certain death. If my taxes help them to live then I’ll willingly pay them."

Rach Roberts said: "Those poor families I can’t even imagine what they must be going through. I know if it happened to me, I would be forever grateful for a safe roof over my head for my family. It’s not their fault at all that this is happening."

Cat Edwards said: "This is a matter of life and death for these people and is humanitarian aid. Imagine how you would feel if you were them."

Mark Smith said: "The families being shipped out are the families in imminent danger. These people have helped and assisted the UK forces and government. These people are fleeing for their lives - not because they want to, but have to."

And Ffion Swift said: "These particular Afghans helped our own, soldier sons and daughters of parents here in UK. They put their lives in danger to help our forces."

Loved ones left behind

The Leader: From left, Rachel Watkin and Jordan Hughes from Refugee Kindness - North Wales From left, Rachel Watkin and Jordan Hughes from Refugee Kindness - North Wales

Meanwhile, Rachel Watkin from the Refugee Kindness - North Wales charity, which was set up in August 2020, spoke of the charity's concern for the situation in Afghanistan and for those with loved ones still over there.

Rachel, who is chair of trustees at the charity, said: "A number of the families who we deal with do have relatives who have remained in Afghanistan. When I ask whether their family members are safe, the answer I get is usually 'we hope so'. So, effectively, they don’t know. It is clear that none of them know what is going to happen. Another family says that all the surviving members of the family left Afghanistan. Sadly, for that family, for their other close family members, they didn’t leave soon enough.

"A number of the families report having become split from family members and that they no longer know where their parents, children, siblings or grandchildren are. This is the case in relation to family members who were left behind and those who have become split despite leaving together. Efforts to trace the family members have been unsuccessful."

Reflecting on the experience of refugees who have already come to Wrexham, Rachel said: "Wrexham has been described to me as 'paradise'. We have one member of the group who spends hours walking around her local area as she loves the sense of freedom from danger. Most of those we deal with in Wrexham are asylum seekers who are not allowed to work in the UK. This means that they have to live on low income and whilst provided with a home and very basic furnishings, it is hard when they have previously had strong work ethics and has a major effect on their mental health and wellbeing.

"Although they would say that the sacrifice is worth it for the protection of their children, if they had been able to choose the country they could escape to, my personal belief (although none of the families would wish to sound ungrateful) is that they would have chosen countries that would allow them to work, pay their way and improve their own lives. Many feel free guilty about being made to feel beholden to the state."

She also shared her thoughts on the situation in general, saying: "Obviously, everyone would dearly love to see peace in Afghanistan. Whilst the Taliban wish to rule, it is hard not to wonder what might have been possible if peace talks/discussions had taken place with the Taliban prior to handing over control. Perhaps, with a different approach that may have come from a different government, control could have been provided to the Taliban on a negotiated basis which could have incorporated conditions that they adhere to certain humanitarian standards."

Terrible situation

And another Afghan refugee who has previously sought sanctuary in Wrexham, Ferishta Hidery, told The Leader that she wished that the Westerm military had not left Afghanistan.

She said: "The situation in Afghanistan is terrible. There's no work, no military and no police. People are going to be punished like street law. It is unacceptable.

"I have too many relatives and friends who are still in Afghanistan. They're doing alright at the moment. What I see is the future looking really dark for Afghanistan. I would like to see refugees coming here and I will help them, but I don't know what the Home Office will do with them."

Ferishta praised the people of North Wales for their warm welcome, saying: "I feel safe here. The people are lovely. They never ask why I am here or why my skin is a different colour. People here open their hearts."

For more information on the Refugee Kindness - North Wales charity, visit https://m.facebook.com/RefugeeKindness/.