Like many people, I’ve been shocked by the recent events taking place in Afghanistan.
I know this is particularly painful for those who’ve been involved in the NATO mission in the country.
There has been very real progress made in Afghanistan since 2001 – not least in the 3.6 million girls currently in school across the country – and in helping to keep us safe at home by reducing the risk of terrorism. But we cannot deny the challenges now faced in country.
The Government is doing everything in its power to support those who worked with us to make Afghanistan a better place and those now most at risk in the country.
We’re using our presidency of the G7 and membership of NATO and the UN Security Council to lead international efforts to stabilise the situation and provide humanitarian relief. This includes providing an additional £287 million in aid to Afghanistan.
Our armed forces and diplomats are serving with extraordinary bravery and dedication – as they have done throughout the last twenty years in Afghanistan – in helping to return British nationals and those who did so much to help us during the mission.
In addition, I’m pleased the Government is providing a new safe and legal route for Afghan citizens who have been forced to flee their homes or face threats of persecution. The new Afghanistan Citizen’s Resettlement Scheme will help up to 20,000 people to resettle in this country.
While our military involvement in Afghanistan is coming to an end, we will do everything possible to protect the progress made and stop the country becoming a training ground for terrorism once again.
