More than 100 Afghan evacuees find safety in Newbury hotels

The people of Newbury have come together to help recently-arrived Afghan people.

More than 100 evacuees are being given bed and board in two hotels on the outskirts of town.

And now businesses, charities, health workers and education specialists are being drafted in to help.

The Red Cross is working with Tesco stores to sort out supplies and local restaurants have been asked to produce daily meals.

The families and individuals are all getting a health check and children are being assessed for educational needs and placements.

Council officers have gone into overdrive to co-ordinate the town’s response, prompted at the weekend by a call from the Home Office to West Berkshire for help.

The council has set up a webpage – https://www.westberks.gov.uk/afghanaid – so it can funnel offers from the people of Newbury of places to stay, food and clothing.

The Afghan people now in the county came after spending 10 days in quarantine in Manchester. They will stay in Newbury until permanent accommodation can be found – most likely elsewhere in the UK.

Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con: Speen) said: “I am sure we have all been affected by the distressing situation in Afghanistan and wish to offer help to those who must now flee their country. We are proud to be doing our bit to help those experiencing this unimaginable hardship and look forward to making these evacuees welcome in West Berkshire.

“I know local people will want to help while the evacuees are with us but I would ask that they go through the proper channels to do this so that offers can be put to best use. If you do want to offer support, please use the links provided on our website to find out how to do this.”