250 Afghan refugees transferred to UK from Islamabad

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced on Wednesday that 250 Afghan refugees have been transferred from Islamabad to the United Kingdom.

IOM said in a tweet that the transfer is a sign of global efforts to support Afghans displaced by war.

The UK has committed to resettling 20,000 eligible Afghan refugees over four years.

IOM also said that the organization has facilitated the transfer and resettlement of at least 1,000 Afghan refugees to different countries since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

The refugees who were transferred on Wednesday are mostly women and children. They will be resettled in the UK under the UK’s Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).

The ARAP is a government-funded program that provides support to Afghans who are at risk of persecution or violence. The program includes financial assistance, housing, and English language classes.

IOM said that the transfer of the 250 refugees is a “significant milestone” in the global effort to support Afghans.

“This is a major achievement for the UK government and IOM,” said IOM’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Laxmi Narayan Bhuller. “It shows that the international community is committed to helping Afghans who have been displaced by conflict.”

Bhuller said that the transfer of the refugees is also a “victory for the Afghan people.”

“This is a clear message that the world has not forgotten the Afghan people,” said Bhuller. “We will continue to work with our partners to support Afghans who are in need.”