Afghanistan-Taliban Crisis: These countries welcome Afghan refugees

Afghan refugees who supported Canada’s mission in Afghanistan wait to board buses after arriving in Canada at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada August 13. (Image: Reuters)

Last week, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan as the United States and its allies withdrew their military troops from the nation after a 20-year long war. The resurgence caused mass panic among Afghans who thronged the airport seeking passage to safer shores. Visuals of babies being passed to soldiers over barbed wire fences and of Taliban fighters shooting on civilians to disperse crowds have since made international headlines.

Countries already hosting the most number of Afghan refugees are Pakistan, Iran, Germany, Turkey and Austria, followed by France, Greece, Sweden, Switzerland, India, Italy, the UK, Australia, Belgium, Indonesia, Tajikistan, Netherlands, Finland, Norway and Canada.

Here’s how countries have responded to providing asylum for Afghan refugees:

United States: President Joe Biden on August 22 restated the US’ “unwavering commitment” to evacuating US citizens and vulnerable Afghans such as women activists and journalists from the troubled country

”We’re executing a plan to move groups of these Americans to safety and to safely and effectively move them to the airport compound. For security reasons, I’m not going to go into detail … but I will say again today what I’ve said before: Any American who wants to get home will get home.”

Reports also said the US will accept allied-Afghan citizens – i.e. those who have worked with the government before.

United Kingdom: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for a virtual meet of members of the Group of Seven wealthy nations to decide on a joint plan for “safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people”.

The government earlier said it can take up to 20,000 Afghans over the long term, with up to 5,000 intake this year. These would include women, children and those at risk of persecution.

Canada: It would take 20,000 refugees including women leaders and government workers facing Taliban threats. It will also continue to implement the special immigration programme for “Afghans who contributed to Canada’s efforts in Afghanistan”. It will also start a special programme to focus on vulnerable groups.

Iran: The western neighbour has set up emergency tents in three border provinces for the influx of Afghan refugees.

Australia: The pacific nation said it can provide at least 3,000 visas over a year and Prime Minister Scott Morrison said they would allow “thousands” of Afghan refugees into the country, putting the numbers “near 20,000” but refusing the confirm “clear plans”.

Germany: The country’s chancellor Angela Merkel has informed her party that up to 10,000 at-risk Afghans would need to be given refuge in the country.

Tajikistan: The small central Asian country has said it can take in up to one lakh Afghans.

India: The country has initiated a special six month e-visa for Sikh and Hindu refugees.

North Macedonia: The Balkan country said it would provide temporary shelter for Afghan refugees in hotels and provide them visas to the US. It committed to taking 450 civilians, mostly human rights activists, journalists, translators and students, including women and children.

Albania: The country will also temporarily host US-bound Afghan refugees in danger from the Taliban and said it would “shoulder its share of the burden as a NATO member”.

Uganda: The African nation said it was considering a US request to take Afghan refugees and the foreign minister said it was ready to “provide assistance” such as temporary hosting of refugees, but “discussions are still ongoing”. Unconfirmed reports said the country could take up to 2,000 Afghan refugees.

Qatar: The US is in talks for a “draft agreement for temporary hosting of thousands of Afghan refugees who worked with US troops,” ANI reported. CNN said this number could be 8,000.

Pakistan: The eastern neighbour has over the years taken in the maximum number of Afghan refugees, but recently stated it could take no more. It said it would seal its border with Afghanistan.

Turkey: The country has refused to take in new Afghan refugees and reports said it has tightened border controls along Iran to stop potential influx of refugees from the neighbour. Turkish President Recep Erdogan said the country would “not become Europe’s refugee warehouse” – a statement referring to the flood of Syrian asylum seekers already within its borders.

France: President Emmanuel Macron called for “protection” from “significant waves of illegal migrants” and said the country would “those in danger”.

Austria, Hungary and Russia refuse to help: State representatives made it explicitly clear they would not welcome any Afghan refugees in their countries. Austria said it would offer help locally while Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the bogey of “undercover'' terrorists arriving under the guise of refugees, and Hungary blamed the situation on “flawed geo-political decisions of the US”.

(With agencies inputs)