Veterinary associations ask for emergency evacuation of UK vets in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, experienced an influx of the Taliban over the weekend in a bid to take over the country. Countries from around the globe, including the UK, are working hard to rescue their citizens and citizens of Afghanistan who worked alongside them.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) president Kate Richards, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) president James Russell and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) president Jo Oakden have addressed Boris Johnson to convince the UK Government to include Afghan vets, paraprofessionals for charities, and their relations on the list of people who need to be allowed to leave.

In a statement the three made collectively, they declare that existing means permit veterinary employees from Afghanistan to relocate and work in the UK. They stated:“Like others, we have seen with increasing horror the events unfolding in Afghanistan, and our thoughts are with the Afghan people and their safety. Under the current conditions, working for and being affiliated with western charities and NGOs may come with risks to the safety of Afghan veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals and their families and so it is imperative that they are given the chance to evacuate and resettle in the UK as refugees as a matter of urgency, should they want to. Last year, the RCVS instituted a new financial support policy in partnership with the Refugee. This includes payment of the RCVS examination and English-language test fees and travel to examination sites. This means that there is a route for Afghan veterinarians who have been resettled in the UK to become UK-practising veterinary surgeons and contribute to animal health and welfare in their host country.”

IVC Evidensia has supported the statement.