The Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA) expresses its deep concern over the new government policy that could potentially lead to the eviction of Afghan refugees from hotel accommodations in the UK. The ACAA has observed a troubling increase in cases of self-harm and suicide among those living in hotels, and the lack of safeguards in this new policy is alarming.
The uncertainty created by this announcement may further exacerbate mental health issues, which are already prevalent among Afghans who have experienced trauma from the ongoing war in Afghanistan and may have been uprooted and displaced multiple times throughout their lives.
The ACAA urges the government to swiftly reassess their decision and work with grassroots refugee organisations, like the ACAA, to ensure a smooth integration and resettlement process across the UK. It is vital that Afghan evacuees and refugees are not punished for the shortage of housing in the UK, and that measures are put in place to ensure their safety and well-being.
Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, the Founder and Director of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association, expresses his views on the issue, stating that “It is deeply disheartening that the decision to provide adequate housing for Afghan refugees has been delayed for so long. The government’s failure to execute a well-planned exit strategy has resulted in thousands of Afghan refugees languishing in bridging hotels for an astonishing 20 months. Had the government engaged in meaningful consultations with grassroots organizations like ours, a far more effective policy could have been devised. Although hotels have proven to be less than ideal living conditions for these refugees, they have managed to forge vital social connections and establish a sense of community within organizations such as the ACAA during this challenging time.”
Hundreds of refugees and recent evacuees from Afghanistan attend the ACAA’s office in Feltham on a daily basis. The ACAA’s Director and many of these refugees are available for interviews to provide their views on the above.
