REFUGEES from Afghanistan are set to be housed in North Hampshire, it has been announced.

Under plans by the Government, 20,000 Afghan refugees are due to be resettled in the UK over the next five years.

The announcement comes after the Taliban took control of the Afghan capital, Kabul, resulting in residents desperately trying to flee the country.

It has now been confirmed that as part of the resettlement scheme, refugees will be rehomed in areas across North Hampshire.

It is still unclear how the scheme will actually work and detail provided by the Home Office so far is limited.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – which facilitates resettlement – welcomed the scheme but said it is awaiting further details, indicating plans are still being developed and suggesting it could be some time before it is in operation.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Housing Regeneration Cllr Tristan Robinson said: “The distressing scenes witnessed this week in Afghanistan have affected many people across the country and within our own borough.

“We have a moral obligation to help people fleeing from potential violence and persecution, especially those who assisted the British Armed Forces abroad. Through our strong links with the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring Basingstoke and Deane plays its part in assisting the government plans, as more guidance becomes available, to provide homes for Afghan refugees in the coming years.”

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Phil North, took to social media to reassure local residents that the council “stands ready to play its part in supporting refugees”.

In his post he expressed “alarm” that stability has “given away to evil and uncertainty” but stated that TVBC will do everything they possibly can to “help those fearing for their lives.”

Cllr North wrote on Facebook: “Over the past few weeks, I’ve watched in horror, as I’m sure many of you have, at the unfolding situation in Afghanistan. As the Taliban - which previously harboured al-Qaeda and their terrorist training camps - have seemingly been allowed to retake power.

“As someone who has never fought in the military, I can only imagine the anger, dismay and sorrow that members of our Armed Forces and their families must be feeling right now. Especially those who have lost loved ones. I’m sure I speak for everyone who lives in Test Valley though, in saying that we are extraordinarily grateful to all those who have served for keeping us safe during the last 20-years. After all, no successful terrorist attack against the west has been mounted from Afghan soil since 9/11.”

Priority for the resettlement scheme will be given to women and girls, and religious and other minorities, who are most at risk of human rights abuses and dehumanising treatment by the Taliban.

Cllr North continued: “Like many of you though, I’m fearful for what happens now. I know some will say that we shouldn’t be the world’s policemen and I have some sympathy with that view. But I can’t help feeling that the world is a lot less safe today than it was last month. It’s also pretty alarming that this NATO mission – which in recent years actually involved a relatively small number of troops supporting the Afghan Army – has been allowed to come to an end, primarily on the say so of one man in the Oval Office. Patient achievement and stability having been given away to evil and uncertainty.

“On the day that Parliament has been recalled to discuss the situation, I want to reassure local residents that Test Valley stands ready to play its part in supporting refugees. Many of which have helped the NATO effort – and will now be in mortal danger. Indeed, we have previously already committed to a small number of units, as requested via the Hampshire scheme, and are now preparing to step up and do everything we possibly can, with our local partners, to help those fearing for their lives.”