Please find the latest news and support updates responding to recent events in Afghanistan below. These items are also shared on the Cobseo news pages, and across Cobseo social media channels.
Armed Forces charities will receive an additional £5 million in funding to support those who have served.
The Prime Minister has announced today that Armed Forces charities will receive £5 million in additional funding to support those who have served, including those who may be struggling following recent events in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister made the announcement at a statement today in the House of Commons on the situation in Afghanistan. Read more.
Published on 1 September 2021
A significant cross-government effort is underway, dubbed ‘Operation Warm Welcome’, to ensure Afghans arriving in the UK receive the vital support they need to rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education and integrate into their local communities.
As part of the New Plan for Immigration, the government announced that those coming to the UK through resettlement routes would receive immediate indefinite leave to remain, and today (September 1) the Home Secretary has announced that this will apply to Afghans who worked closely with the British military and UK Government in Afghanistan, and risked their lives in doing so, meaning they can now stay in the UK without any time restrictions. Read more.
Published on 31 August 2021
Armed forces veterans will benefit from extra support including extra mental health services thanks to a further £2.7 million funding
Armed Forces veterans, including those who served in Afghanistan, will benefit from additional mental health support backed by £2.7 million for Op COURAGE – the Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. Read more.
Published on 25 August 2021
The meeting outlined support available to former service personnel across the UK and agreed to share information and best practice on supporting veterans.
Government, charities and the academic sector met today to highlight the range of support on offer to veterans of the Afghanistan conflict, in light of the difficult situation in the country.
The meeting, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty and attended by the Health Secretary Sajid Javid, brought together government departments, veterans charities and experts in military mental health. Read more.
Published on 18 August 2021
If you are struggling as a result of the recent events in Afghanistan, there is support available across the United Kingdom for veterans and those affected. Read more.
Published on 17 August 2021
Recent events in Afghanistan have unfolded at an extraordinary pace, the world has been shocked as the Taliban have taken control. There will be many within the Armed Forces Community for whom the fall of Afghanistan is particularly hard to take. Over the last two decades members of our community have spent years separated from those that they love, many have suffered injuries that have changed their lives completely, and 457 tragically lost their lives leaving behind devastated families. Read more.
“My husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. Hearing everything which has been happening in Afghanistan over the past few days has stirred up so many different emotions for me and our children.” Read more.
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here