Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Afghanistan: Humanitarian Situation

Tuesday 25 January 2022 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK has supported over 3,400 people leaving Afghanistan since the end of Operation Pitting.
  • Lord Ahmad visited Qatar and New York to discuss humanitarian and women's rights issues.
  • The UK has committed 286 million in humanitarian assistance, with over 145 million disbursed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The situation in Afghanistan prompted the question, focusing on diplomatic efforts to help people seeking to leave.

Question

What diplomatic steps she is taking to help secure safe routes in third countries for people seeking to leave Afghanistan. The UK has supported more than 3,400 people leaving since Operation Pitting evacuation ended. What additional steps are being taken?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK has supported over 3,400 people in leaving Afghanistan since the end of Operation Pitting. The country is contributing £286 million in humanitarian assistance this financial year, with £145 million already disbursed. Lord Ahmad visited Qatar on January 17 to discuss these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify additional diplomatic steps beyond mentioning the visit to Qatar and general support efforts

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Q2 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
NHS Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is severe, with 97% of the population below the poverty line. The questioner asks about ensuring aid bypasses Taliban control.

Question

What was a monumental military miscalculation has turned into a humanitarian catastrophe, with Gordon Brown warning of 23 million people facing starvation. What are the Government doing to ensure that aid reaches those in need?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK has committed £286 million in humanitarian assistance, disbursing over £145 million so far. The government recognises the need for a pragmatic relationship with the Taliban but sets clear conditions against violence and terrorism. Aid diversion is always considered carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how aid will bypass Taliban control, instead referenced general conditions and considerations

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Q3 Virendra Sharma Lab
Asylum & Refugees
Context

A refugee is unable to register with the Iranian Government due to fear of being returned to their country of origin. The questioner seeks action from the Minister.

Question

Yesterday I heard the shocking story of a refugee stuck in Iran, unable to leave because he has been told he needs to register with the Iranian Government but fears repercussions. Will the Minister act to ensure such cases do not occur and secure a safe route?

Answer from James Cleverly

The hon Gentleman is invited to write about the case. Lord Ahmad speaks with countries bordering Afghanistan, including Iran despite strained relations. Land routes across Iran are acknowledged as exit routes but details on individual cases cannot be provided without more information.

Not addressed: Did not commit to meeting or securing a safe route for refugees trapped in Iran

How: Invited Writing About The Case, Acknowledged Relations Are Strained

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Q4 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The questioner questions the efficacy of resettlement schemes and promises to protect minoritised groups in Afghanistan.

Question

Afghan citizens at risk cannot move due to lack of safe destinations. With the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme inoperable, what discussions is the Minister having with third countries to guarantee safety for those at risk?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK has supported over 3,400 people leaving Afghanistan since August. The scheme includes those who worked for the UK or are vulnerable, such as female judges and LGBT activists. The UK continues to liaise with other countries in the region and beyond.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify discussions with third countries on safe destinations

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Q5 Mark Logan
Foreign Affairs
Context

The questioner asks about representations regarding the force used by the Taliban against protesters.

Question

What representations has the Department made to international counterparts about the force used by the Taliban against those protesting deteriorating living standards?

Answer from James Cleverly

The Minister's department will pass comments. Lord Ahmad visited New York in October to hold events with Afghan women and spoke at the UN debate on women, peace, and security. The Foreign Secretary has visited countries to solicit support for Afghanistan.

Not addressed: Did not specify representations made about Taliban's use of force against protestors

How: Passed Comments, Referenced Other Visits

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Q6 Theresa Villiers Con
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

The Open Doors world watch list identifies Afghanistan as the most dangerous place to be a Christian.

Question

Will the Government put protection and support of Christians around the world, particularly in Afghanistan, at the heart of their foreign policy?

Answer from James Cleverly

Freedom of religion or belief remains an important strand of UK foreign policy. The plight of Christians is dire but reflects the situation for other minorities. The government pursues genuine freedom, including religious freedom.

Not addressed: Did not commit to prioritising support for Christians in Afghan foreign policy

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Q7 Steven Baker Con
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

Many constituents have connections to people stuck in Afghanistan who would have had a pre-existing visa entitlement to come to the UK.

Question

What steps will the Government take to ensure that people entitled to settle in the UK, had the Afghan Government not fallen, can join their families?

Answer from James Cleverly

The Foreign Office and Home Office maintain a close relationship on such issues. Entitlement for foreign nationals to settle is ultimately a Home Office competency but they continue to work closely together.

Not addressed: Did not specify steps being taken beyond noting the relationship between departments

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Q8 Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Birmingham Edgbaston
Foreign Affairs
Context

Millions of Afghans are facing severe famine, with parents selling babies and teenage daughters to the Taliban for cash. The UK government has reduced overseas aid and only disbursed half of the pledged humanitarian assistance.

Question

The situation facing millions of Afghans right now is unimaginable—starving families lining up for food; parents selling their babies and handing teenage daughters to the Taliban for cash; a mother so desperate that she sold her kidney and two of her daughters. Yet amid this horror the UK Government slashed the overseas aid budget, actually cut their support for Afghanistan from 2019 levels and, with only two months to go, disbursed only half of the humanitarian aid and assistance they promised. With 5 million children now on the brink of famine, will the Government show leadership by releasing the remainder of the pledge and taking the action proposed by the UN, Save the Children and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown by convening a humanitarian pledging conference to raise the £5 billion needed? Failure to act will cost more lives.

Answer from James Cleverly

I remind the hon. Lady that the £286 million that we have allocated to Afghanistan was put in place in the autumn, and we are still ensuring that the money is distributed. She made the important point that doing so quickly can sometimes come at the cost of doing so carefully. We want to ensure that our money reaches the people who are in need and is not diverted to support the Taliban regime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Convening a humanitarian pledging conference

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