A toddler injured in the terror attack during the evacuation of
Afghanistan has been welcomed to the UK following a huge
cross-Government effort.
Two-year-old Mohammad Raza arrived in Britain to be reunited with
his family this week, having been part of an RAF airlift from a
neighbouring third country.
Home Secretary granted Mohammad a visa after
he was injured in the terrorist attack near Kabul Airport on
August 27.
The Home Office has been working with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office and Ministry Defence as well as other
agencies to support Mohammad’s recovery and get him to the UK.
He was transported to the UK alongside other vulnerable Afghans
who fall under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
(ARAP) and other eligible Afghans able to enter the UK.
He was supported on the flight by a team of RAF medics on a
flight that arrived on Friday (October 29).
Home Secretary said:
“What happened to Mohammad was utterly heart-breaking. I
was determined that Mohammad would be united with his family in
the UK.
“I am delighted he has arrived safely and now he and his
family can rebuild their life here.
“Throughout the Afghanistan evacuation we worked night and
day to support as many people as possible and Mohammad’s story
demonstrates that our commitment continues.”
Foreign Secretary said:
“I recently spoke to young Afghans about their experiences being
evacuated from Afghanistan with help from the UK.
“I am proud the UK has been able to reunite Mohammad, an
innocent victim of an abhorrent terror attack, with his family in
Britain.”
Around 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan during
Operation Pitting. The UK continues to work with international
partners to ensure that as many routes as possible remain open to
support the movement of British nationals and relocation of
eligible Afghans to the UK.
An unprecedented cross-government effort remains underway to
secure permanent accommodation so families can settle and rebuild
their lives.
