East Camp, a Ministry of Defence (MOD) housing estate in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, will house 50 people by the end of the month, with more joining them next month.
The site, which can take up to 180 people, will be used by families who are eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap).
The policy is aimed at supporting people and their families who worked for – or with – the UK government and British armed forces in Afghanistan, such as interpreters, and who are now fleeing the Taliban regime.
Ministers have faced criticism over their handling of applications to the scheme, which has been beset by delays and what the government has admitted has been flawed decisionmaking.
Last month, The Independent revealed more than 200 Afghans who applied for sanctuary in the UK had been waiting two years for a decision from British authorities.
Campaigners said the Afghans, who applied for help based on their claims that they helped British armed forces, had been left in limbo and many were living in fear for their lives.
This story is from the March 30, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the March 30, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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