The Philippines and the United States have reached an agreement to temporarily house a limited number of Afghan refugees in the Philippines while they undergo processing for resettlement in the United States. This arrangement, announced on Tuesday, is designed to provide a safe haven for Afghan visa applicants who have been displaced since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
The US embassy in Manila stated that the timeline for the program is still being discussed by both governments. While both countries have confirmed that only a limited number of visa applicants will be covered, they have declined to disclose the specific figures involved.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Afghan refugees will reside in a facility operated by the US State Department’s Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts. The US government has committed to providing essential services during their stay in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical care, and transportation.
The Philippine foreign department has also issued a statement reaffirming the country’s support for the program. It highlights the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to those in need, particularly in light of the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.
Last year, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez revealed that there were approximately 50,000 Afghan visa seekers, including families of individuals who had worked for the US-backed government prior to the Taliban’s takeover. The US request for assistance initially faced domestic opposition in the Philippines due to security concerns and other issues.
Tens of thousands of Afghans fled their homeland in August 2021 during the chaotic evacuation of US and allied forces. Many of those who had worked with the Western-backed government sought resettlement in the United States through a special immigrant visa program. However, thousands were left behind or stranded in third countries, awaiting visa processing.
The Taliban leadership has repeatedly assured the international community that no harm will befall those who collaborated with Western powers or the former Afghan government. They have encouraged Afghan refugees to return home and participate in rebuilding their country.
