MORE than 200 Afghan refugees are being housed in Wales after fleeing the Taliban, the Welsh Government has said.

Wales is accommodating 50 families, comprising 230 people – with the majority having directly supported Welsh-based military units in Afghanistan over the last 20 years.

The Welsh Government has been working with local authorities, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the Ministry of Defence, refugee support organisations and local Welsh Afghans to 'embody a Nation of Sanctuary vision'.

Following Afghanistan’s collapse to Taliban control, an emergency evacuation effort saw 15,000 people brought back to the UK.

Those arriving under the scheme have been registered on the UK Government’s Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy, which helps families where direct support has been given to the UK armed forces in Afghanistan.

Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: "Today, we welcome the families and individuals that have served our country in Afghanistan.

"We have made clear our pledge of Wales being a Nation of Sanctuary and we’re committed to do all that is possible to ensure Afghan interpreters, refugees and their families are welcomed.

"Wales is a Nation of Sanctuary – we will do all we can to provide a warm welcome in the short-term and our communities will, no doubt, be enriched by their skills and experiences in the very near future.

"All local authorities in Wales are participating in these schemes and have offered their support and assistance to the Afghan citizens who are being resettled in the UK. I want to thank all of our partners in this collaborative Nation of Sanctuary approach to coordinate this significant undertaking.

"I also want to place on record my particular thanks to Urdd Gobaith Cymru for having the humanitarian vision to ensure we can provide a distinctly Welsh welcome for our new Afghan friends."

Chief Executive of the Urdd, Sian Lewis added: "This has been a huge team Wales effort across all sectors, and we are grateful to our partners for enabling us to open our doors as a refuge to families seeking shelter and safety.

"As an organisation, we are proud to help and continue to share with our members the importance of loyalty to country and culture but also to humanity and a higher good.

"We have a moral obligation as a national youth organisation to support humanitarian projects and offer a hand of friendship and support to the Afghan community in their time of need.”