Bishop Robert has called on the EU, its Member States and other key players to do all they can to support the people of Afghanistan who are imperilled at this time.

Speaking to the Church Times ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ discussion on 17 August, following the fall of Kabul to the newly resurgent Taliban regime, Bishop Robert said:

“As we see thousands upon thousands of men, women and children who are daily and desperately fleeing Afghanistan by whatever means they can from the newly resurgent Taliban regime, we are looking at a renewed and grave humanitarian catastrophe. There are already over 4.5 million displaced Afghans who are mainly in the region.  

I believe the EU, its Member States and other key players should do all they can to support the people of Afghanistan who are imperilled at this time, and especially those who have made such huge sacrifices to promote freedom from oppression and violence, freedom of expression, education, justice and human rights, especially for women.

I join Christian brothers and sisters across the world in prayer for the people of Afghanistan.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury addressed the House of Lords on 18 August.

The Archbishop said this situation was about morals rather than numbers when welcoming refugees, highlighting the words of an Afghan refugee who is now a UK citizen, who said “families in such times of trouble belong together”. He also highlighted the need to support Pakistan as it faces the prospect of refugees fleeing across the border from Afghanistan and added "we must renew commitment to freedom of religion and belief everywhere, a point not much mentioned so far, That will count in Pakistan and Afghanistan for Christians and religious communities such as Shia, Hindus, Jains, Ahmadis and Sikhs.”

Pope Francis has urged that solutions may be found in order for people in Afghanistan to return to their homes and live in peace. The Roman Catholic charitable organisation, Saint’ Egidio, has called for humanitarian corridors across Europe saying; “For Afghanistan, we need to follow the path of humanitarian aid. Italy has the instrument of humanitarian corridors that we hope can be applied at European level."

Before the attacks at Kabul Airport on 26 August, G7 leaders issued a statement on the latest crisis situation in Afghanistan. The statement included references to safeguarding the human rights of all Afghans, particularly women, children, and ethnic and religious minorities and allowing unhindered and unconditional humanitarian access. G7 leaders also called on “all parties in Afghanistan to work in good faith to establish an inclusive and representative government, including with the meaningful participation of women and minority groups.”