A COUNCIL has confirmed it will offer support to an additional four refugee families who have fled crisis in Afghanistan.

Denbighshire County Council cabinet members have agreed to extend its role in the UK Government's Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy (ARAP) to provide support for a total of five refugee families.

The scheme offers relocation to current and former locally employed staff in Afghanistan who may be at risk of reprisals from the Taliban due to their assistance of British forces.

Denbighshire council said the number of refugees could be increased to 10 families, dependent on a comprehensive funding commitment from the UK Government Home Office beyond its present one-year timeframe.

Temporary accommodation is currently being sourced from the private rented sector, and has already been used to house the one family currently resettled in the county.

“The thoughts of the Council are with all those affected by the recent tragic events in Afghanistan," said Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire cabinet member for well-being and independence.

“We will do everything we can to put in place appropriate housing and a warm welcome so our new neighbours will become important parts of our community, as many have done so before.

“Each local authority in Wales is playing its part in supporting the Afghan Relocation Assistance Programme, and, while this commitment is in relation to Denbighshire, we are working regionally and at a strategic level to share knowledge and support as appropriate."

About 8,000 refugees are currently being accommodated across the UK, the majority of which qualified for ARAP resettlement. The UK Government said it will accept a total of 20,000 refugees under the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) over the coming years.

Conwy County Borough Council and Isle of Anglesey Council have committed to one refugee family so far, while Gwynedd has accepted six individual refugees with more expected in the coming weeks. Conwy council said it is in doubt over whether it has the resources to accommodate further refugees amidst pressures on accommodation and its housing team.

Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West, who has voiced his support for further refugee settlement in North Wales, said: “Just two weeks ago I urged Welsh councils to work with the Welsh Government to be more generous with the accommodation being provided as part of the resettlement scheme and I am therefore delighted that Denbighshire County Council have committed to helping more families from Afghanistan.

“Our country has a proud history of offering sanctuary to those in need and it is crucial that we are there for the people of Afghanistan.

“I am really thankful to Denbighshire Council’s cabinet for agreeing to provide this additional support and hope that other local authorities in North Wales follow their lead.”