Afghan refugees: How people in Liverpool can help families fleeing the Taliban

Afghanistan refugees have arrived in the UK as the nation prepares to welcome 20,000 over the next five years, following the conflict in the South Asian country.

The last US troops left the country on Monday, following on from Britain’s withdrawal, ending 20 years of deployment in the country and concluding the airborne evacuation effort from the city of Kabul.

Following the exodus of troops, the Taliban proclaimed “full independence” for Afghanistan.

Thousands of people have been evacuated since the Taliban’s rapid takeover earlier this month.

The residents of Liverpool have been asking how they can help refugees coming to Merseyside and the City Council has put together some advice for local people offering their support to refugees.

I want to donate clothes or money to support refugees

A list of refugee support organisations in Liverpool who take donations can be found on the council’s website.

The council also has an Our Liverpool Facebook group  where you can keep up to date with Liverpool’s work with refugees or look at the council’s website.

I want to volunteer to help with resettling and supporting refugees

Families that arrive in the UK on the resettlement scheme will be fully supported by a team from the resettlement organisation.

However, if you are looking to volunteer with refugees and asylum seekers see:-

- Merseyside Refugee Support Network

- British Red Cross

I want to offer work experience and employment opportunities to refugees

If you are an employer and have employment or work experience opportunities for refugees we would be keen to link you with Liverpool City Council Refugee Employment Officers. You can contact [email protected]

I have a spare room and can accommodate a refugee?

Resettled refugees coming to the UK, such as from Afghanistan, are allocated their own property. However, the offer of a room is very much needed for other refugees, such as those who have recently been granted status and are waiting for more permanent accommodation, or people who have been refused asylum.

If you have a spare room available, you can host a refugee via a charity called Refugees At Home. They offer placements to refugees in the UK who need a place to live temporarily, and support placement hosts to find someone who is a right fit for them. They are looking for hosts with spare rooms in the Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area. They have a wealth of information about becoming a host on their website, as well as on their Facebook page.

I am interested in letting my property out

If you are a looking to let your property then you can contact Liverpool City Council’s Housing Options Service Rehousing Team, who support newly granted refugees to secure permanent accommodation. Please contact the Team by email: [email protected], particularly if you have a larger property with more than four bedrooms.

You can also contact Serco, who provide the asylum accommodation in the north west on behalf of the Home Office. They are regularly looking for homes to rent so they can house people seeking sanctuary. Their Partnership Manager in Liverpool is Ged Swanson [email protected], he will be able to signpost you to their procurement team.