London Councils reflects on one-year anniversary of Afghanistan Evacuation

One year on from the launch of Operation Pitting and the evacuation of thousands of people from Afghanistan, London Councils is looking at how London has helped the refugees.

According to statistics, around 30 per cent of asylum-seeking children in the UK are in London.

London Councils, a cross-party group has highlighted the local support and resettlement activity organised by London boroughs, which includes enrolling children in schools, translation services and health and care provision.

On the other hand, the group has also raised concerns about the shortage of long-term housing options for evacuees in London, which means many refugees are still staying in hotels. With ongoing support for refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere being provided by London Boroughs, London Councils has warned of the pressures on local services.

Cllr Claire Holland, London Councils’ Executive Member for Communities, said: “Events thousands of miles away in Afghanistan prompted a swift response from local authorities in the capital, as boroughs played a pivotal role in welcoming Afghan evacuees to the UK.

“One year on, there’s a huge amount of success for London to be proud of. In extremely challenging circumstances, boroughs moved quickly to co-ordinate local support for thousands of Afghans seeking sanctuary here. Alongside our partners in voluntary and community groups, at City Hall, and in the government, we’re pleased to see so many of the evacuees building new lives for themselves as Londoners."

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