"Current government immigration schemes set up for those seeking asylum from Afghanistan are failing this group of people" - Malcolm Morley, BVA.

The group fled to Pakistan as part of Operation Magic Carpet.

The RCVS, BVA, and BVNA have today (14 October) penned a third joint letter to the Prime Minister urging government support for the resettlement of an at-risk group of Afghan vets, support staff and their families in the UK.

The group of 11 - many of which worked for the Afghanistan branch of the Mayhew animal welfare charity - fled to Pakistan under 'Operation Magic Carpet'. However, with their current sponsors unable to continue to support their living expenses from 15 October, the group is now facing homelessness and deportation. 

In the letter, the three veterinary organisation presidents urge Ms Truss to act fast to secure the group's safe resettlement in the UK. They also stress their fears for the group's welfare should they be sent back to Afghanistan.

The letter also emphasizes that any Afghan veterinary professional with refugee status has a path to practising in the UK through the RCVS, adding that, when there is a pressing need for veterinary professionals, this would support the UK veterinary sector.

RCVS president Melissa Donald said: “These Afghan veterinary professionals have made an invaluable contribution to animal health and welfare, as well as public health in Afghanistan and, as fellow veterinary professionals, their safety is of utmost concern.

“As we outlined in our joint letter to The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP in December last year, the RCVS has a financial support policy, in partnership with The Refugee Council, to help those who have veterinary qualifications not recognised by the RCVS, but who have refugee status and are resident in the UK, to undertake the necessary RCVS pre-registration exams"

She continued: "This includes payment of the exam fees, English-language test fees, and travel and accommodation costs for the practical exams. BVA, BVNA and other veterinary associations and societies also offer free membership of their organisations to support refugees with professional training and learning materials.

“This means that there is a route for Afghan veterinary surgeons who have been resettled in the UK to become practising veterinary surgeons and contribute to animal health and welfare in this country.”
 
BVA president Malcolm Morley added: “The ongoing situation facing the veterinary surgeons and their families who fled Afghanistan as part of Operation Magic Carpet is heart-breaking.

"We have repeatedly put pressure on MPs and the Government to find ways to create safe passage to the UK for them. Regrettably, despite generous offers of jobs, training and financial support from across the UK veterinary profession, current government immigration schemes set up for those seeking asylum from Afghanistan are failing this group of people. 
 
“We urge Liz Truss to consider this unique situation and grant safe passage to the UK where registration assistance, employment and support from the veterinary community awaits these individuals and their families who are in such urgent need of help.” 

Image (C) Operation Magic Carpet.