Sanctuary for the brave! Home Secretary Yvette Copper announces long-awaited reunion scheme for Afghan families separated during 2021 military evacuation of Kabul

A long-awaited reunion route for families separated during the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan has been opened.

Many parents and children were broken up following the Taliban coup and the chaotic international airlift from Kabul airport.

People who were able to escape to the UK under legal routes previously set up by the government can now apply for their partners and children to join them.

The new pathway for separated families to reunite is part of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

The scheme was introduced following the Mail’s multi-award winning ‘Betrayal of the Brave’ campaign, which has forced several changes in government policy.

The Mail demanded ministers offer sanctuary to Afghans, such as interpreters, who risked their lives to assist British forces and to other vulnerable persons.

Last night, the Refugee Council said the move was ‘hugely welcome’ and would be ‘life-changing’ for Afghan families separated for so long.

Children who arrived in the UK from Afghanistan without their parents can apply for their mothers and fathers to join them.

While Afghans over the aged of 18 who travelled alone, can apply for siblings and partners to come here.

The pledge had been made by the previous Conservative government. Labour said it was ‘implementing that commitment’.

The Home Office said additional family members may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘Due to the speed and the circumstances surrounding the evacuation, a number of families became separated, and some individuals were evacuated to the UK without all of their immediate family.

‘The Government pledged at the time that there would be a route for separated families to reunite under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

‘This Government is implementing that commitment and providing a means for families who were separated by the military evacuation from Kabul in August 2021 to be reunited in the UK.’

The ACRS separated families route officially opened yesterday (Tues). Applications must be submitted in the next three months.

Figures published in May indicated that in the previous 12 months almost as many Afghan nationals arrived in the UK having crossed the Channel as through the Government’s legal routes.

A total of 5,662 Afghan nationals came by boat, including 758 lone Afghan children. Some 6,012 came through legal routes.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: ‘Over the last three years we’ve worked with many families who were torn apart in the chaos of evacuating Kabul.

‘They will now have a way to be safely together again.

‘For the children who have been apart from their parents for far too long, we know this will be life-changing.

‘We look forward to working with the Government to ensure they are now reunited with their loved ones as quickly as possible.’

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme, separate from ACRS, was put in place for Afghans who had worked with the UK government, and their families, prior to the Taliban takeover.