Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme

Richmond Council does everything it can to welcome foreign nationals to Richmond upon Thames, support their settlement in the UK and enable their integration into local communities.

Settlement of Afghan nationals in appropriate communities with appropriate support is complex and is rightly being coordinated at a national level.

We have formally committed to supporting the government’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme.

At the moment we are working to identify accommodation to offer to Afghan nationals and ensure everything is in place to welcome and support to them.

For more information view:

• How you can help
• Donations to charities
• If you are a private landlord
• How we have supported citizens from other countries

How you can help

We know many of our residents are eager to help, but it’s easy to feel powerless and it’s hard to know where to start.

Until we have housing allocated and are ready to welcome Afghan nationals to Richmond upon Thames, there is no specific local demand from for donations such as clothing, toys, toiletries etc.

There are a number of charities supporting the national response, including British Red Cross, the Refugee Council and Refugee Action, as well as charities working in Afghanistan. The best way to support them at the moment is with financial donations. Information is given below.

You can also sign up to volunteer with the Richmond CVS who support the voluntary sector and help co-ordinate volunteers. Register and you will be sent opportunities when they become available.

We are also looking for private rental accommodation to provide housing for Afghan nationals. If you are a landlord you can find out more below.

Donations to charities

There are many charities working on the ground in the country, despite the unrest and military actions of recent weeks.  There are also some UK based charities that are offering support to people living in the UK.

Afghanaid

Afghanaid provides kitchen kits that allow people who have left their homes to cook and safely store food, plus solar-powered lamps, stoves and gas cylinders.

"We are working hard to ensure the safety of our staff and where possible have reopened a number of our offices to continue our work in supporting remote rural communities. We are delivering emergency support to families whose lives have been destroyed or uprooted by the conflict."

Afghanistan and Central Asian Association

Based in Hounslow, the ACAA provides support, skills, and knowledge to help our communities live and prosper in the UK. They are currently working to support the crisis by:

• Liaising with hotels who are accommodating the Afghan arrivals and establishing what essential items are needed.
• Sourcing the items needed from our donations and distributing them to the hotels.
• Supporting members of the community who have concerns about families back in Afghanistan.  All conversations are logged and emails sent to MPs.

They are not currently taking donations of second-hand clothes. To help, you can:

• Donate to support the resettlement work
• Purchase required items from their Amazon wishlist
• Volunteer

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross is raising funds to support their work.

In the UK, staff and volunteers are welcoming Afghan nationals, providing emotional support and essential items.

In Afghanistan, money donated will provide Afghans with basic medical supplies and medicines as well as food, shelter and water.

Donate to the British Red Cross

International Rescue Committee

Emergency relief charities are asking for donations, with the International Rescue Committee trying to raise $10 million to continue delivering lifesaving aid.

London Refugee Response Fund

The London Refugee Response Fund has been set up to give Londoners a way to provide much needed support to new arrivals from Afghanistan (and potentially refugees and people seeking asylum from other countries living in London).

The monetary donations collected will be routed to organisations and not individuals, to try and meet medium and long term need.

Donate to the London Refugee Response Fund

Multicultural Richmond

Multicultural Richmond helps people from minority ethnic backgrounds to understand their new community and develop skills to flourish in British life by providing courses in English Literacy, digital computing and other skills which can make them more employable and self-sufficient and thrive in the wider community.

Donate to Multicultural Richmond

Refugee Action

Refugee Action specialises in welcoming and supporting refugees in the UK. At the moment they have staff at airports welcoming refugees and are helping people with urgent needs such as meals and means to contact family.

Donate to Refugee Action

Refugee Council

The Refugee Council provide crisis advice and practical support, to help refugees to integrate into their new communities and offer mental health counselling. Money donated will contribute to mental health support, employment assistance, language and integration support and many other things.

Donate to the Refugee Council

Women for Women International

There is especial concern about the plight of women and girls in the country, as the last time the Taliban were in power they forced them to wear burqas and refused to let women work. Charity Women for Women International is confident that community and religious leaders will allow it to continue operating.

"We are committed to finding practical, safe, solutions so that we can continue to operate and make a positive difference for the people of Afghanistan who have already suffered far too much and who deserve peace and prosperity."

If you are a private landlord

We are looking for landlords who could provide a secure and safe home for Afghan nationals resettling in London. If you would like to rent a property through us at an affordable rate and help refugees to come to Richmond for resettlement, please contact us.

Suitable homes

At the moment government criteria means we can only offer self-contained homes to Afghan nationals.

Properties must meet the following criteria:

• Within the borough of Richmond upon Thames
• A self-contained home
• Have at least two bedrooms (ideally three/four)
• Fully furnished
• Available for private letting and as a landlord you will accept rent at local housing allowance rates
• Can be let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy for at least 24 months

These requirements are designed to ensure families have the security and space they need.

We are offering incentive packages to support private landlords. Contact us if you would like further information.

Contact us

Contact our temporary accommodation team who administer this scheme:

• Telephone: 020 8871 7333
• Email: landlordlettings@richmond.gov.uk 

How we have supported citizens from other countries

At the end of 2015 the government made a pledge to resettle 20,000 Syrian nationals over five years, and we made a commitment to support this scheme.

Between October 2016 and May 2019, we successfully facilitated the resettlement of 32 people in good quality, private rented sector homes and continue to provide intensive and ongoing resettlement support.

In July 2021, Richmond's Full Council committed to welcoming British nationals (overseas) living in Hong Kong to resettle in Richmond upon Thames.