EU: The goal of resettling 42,500 Afghans in the next 5 years is achievable

The Commissioner for Home AffairsIlva Johansson described the goal of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), for reinstallation 42,500 Afghans refugeesin the European Union for the next five years.

During the high-level online forum on the situation in Afghanistan and the resettlement of Afghan refugees, the European Commissioner clarified that EU countries did not announcecommitments for new resettlements.

He emphasized, however, that the Member States of the Union were already offering protection to about 300,000 Afghans who have been granted a residence permit and are living in Europe. But the most important thing, he said, is that EU countries have saved 22,000 Afghans in danger, after the collapse of Kabul.

He acknowledged, however, that more people needed protection, “but that protection would not solve the crisis in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that a multi-year solution was needed. Afghan Support Plan at risk.

“In the short term, we must continue to provide safe passage for Afghans at risk: Judges, journalists, human rights defenders, especially women,” said Elva Johansson, seeking financial support and co-ordination from participants.

“In the medium and long term, we need to step up reinstallation and entry of humanitarian aid. As soon as conditions allow. Hand in hand with the partner countries of the region. “And with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),” he said.

Ms Johansson called on all countries to step up their efforts with additional commitments to resettle refugees. He noted that the United States has pledged to resettle 125.000 refugees, Canada pledged to host 40.000 Afghans, and the United Kingdom for 20.000.

For his part, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Gradyestimated that in the next five years, some 85,000 Afghans would have to be resettled “from neighboring Afghanistan where they are refugees in other countries” and suggested that the European Union take over half by these Afghans.

The High Level Forum on Afghanistan was convened by Commissioner Johansson and the EU High Representative. for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, following the G7 discussions. The forum was attended by most EU Member States, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).