Australia to accommodate 16,500 more Afghan nationals in next 4 years

ANKARA (AA) – The Australian government on Thursday allocated 16,500 additional places to accommodate Afghan nationals under its humanitarian program over the next four years.

In a joint statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles said the Independent Review into the Afghan Locally Engaged Employee (LEE) program will be led by an independent consultant Dr. Vivienne Thom AM.

Dr. Thom AM has substantial experience in leading public inquiries and is also leading the Afghanistan Inquiry Implementation Oversight Panel.

Dr. Thom AM will report her findings to the Australian government in early 2023.

“The Australian government is committed to supporting the Afghan community, with 16,500 additional places allocated for Afghan nationals under the Humanitarian Program. This builds on the 10,000 places already allocated for Afghan nationals under the Humanitarian Program, and will be delivered over the next four years in addition to the annual intake,” said the statement.

With additional places, the total allocation will reach 31,500, including 5,000 places under the family stream of the Migration Program.

“We have been clear in opposition and in government that the Morrison government failed to apply the instrument consistently and in accordance with its original intent," said the ministers.

“Our current and former ADF (Australian Defense Forces) personnel have been clear about the painful impact of leaving people behind in Afghanistan," said Defense Minister Marles.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed her country’s support to those Afghans who helped the Australian troops and officials during their 20-year stay in Afghanistan and said it's her government’s moral obligation to help those who helped Australia.

“We know that those attempting to leave Afghanistan face a very difficult set of circumstances,” she said.

- $86.6M for Bangladesh, Myanmar

Meanwhile, the Australian government on Thursday announced AUD135 million ($86.6 million) for Myanmar and Bangladesh as humanitarian aid to assist with the delivery of life-saving food, water, and shelter through partner organizations.

The fresh assistance will be delivered to the UN organizations, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non-government organizations to provide essential protection, education, and health services for those most in need, including women, girls, and people with disabilities.

“Since the military coup in February 2021, the number of people in humanitarian need in Myanmar has surged from 1 million to an estimated 14.4 million,” said Penny Wong.

In Bangladesh, the aid will be delivered to Rohingya refugees, however in Myanmar, it will be ensured it does not directly benefit or legitimize the military regime, she added.

So far, Australia has provided over $308 million since 2017 to people across Myanmar, Rohingya refugees, and host communities in Bangladesh.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid