Critical help for the people of Afghanistan worth £250,000 is to be made available from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF).
The announcement follows the commitment by the Scottish Government to play its full part in the resettlement of Afghan refugees, as it continues to call on the UK Government to provide further details of the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme as soon as possible.
There will also be a Scottish Parliament debate today on the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan, in which Kenneth Gibson MSP will speak.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“My thoughts are with the people in Afghanistan who have been left in the hands of the Taliban – particularly women and children.
“Like everyone else who has been watching events unfold in Afghanistan over the past 20 years, I believe we must do what we can to help people on the ground who don’t have basic level of accommodation, health care, food and safety.
“This £250,000 will provide crucial support, in addition to the financial commitment the Scottish people already make to the UK’s aid budget through tax contributions.
“The UK Government has said that its aid to Afghanistan will be doubled, which can only be described as a step in the right direction – especially after it applied major cuts to aid to Afghanistan.
“I am proud Scotland will not only provide humanitarian assistance, but is committed to playing a full role in assisting, and welcoming, the resettlement and relocation of Afghans at risk.”
The Humanitarian Emergency Fund provides aid in the aftermath of a crisis.
The HEF panel is made up of eight leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland who advise and access the fund: Mercy Corps, Oxfam, British Red Cross, Mission Aviation Fellowship, SCIAF, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Save the Children.
Recent HEF funding for humanitarian emergencies has included responses to crisis situations in Niger, Beirut and Ethiopia.
The Scottish Government is in close contact with the charities involved in the HEF to determine how support can be delivered safely and effectively.
Image: UNHCR
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