Compassion in World Farming, RSPCA and World Animal Protection have written to the prime minister and foreign secretary about the situation facing staff at Afghan charity Nowzad.
A letter signed by the chief executives of the three charities says: “We would like to draw your attention to the plight of the British animal welfare charity Nowzad, based in Kabul, Afghanistan.”
Nowzad’s founder, Pen Farthing, has repeatedly called on the UK government to evacuate the 71 staff at the animal sanctuary because their lives are now at risk.
Farthing has organised a social media campaign and the charity’s situation has been discussed in Parliament.
In yesterday’s letter the charity CEOs put further pressure on the government, and say: “Due to the tragic situation in Afghanistan, the lives of all Nowzad Afghan staff, and their families (including many females), are in danger and they cannot stay in the country.
“As the CEOs of Compassion in World Farming, World Animal Protection and the RSPCA we strongly urge you to effect the safe evacuation from Kabul of all of Nowzad’s staff, their families and the animals in their shelter as a matter of urgency.
“Please do everything in your power to get them to safety.”
Nowzad update: The problem is getting to the airport
In the latest update from Farthing he says the charity has reached its fundraising goal of £200,000, meaning the charity can afford to evacuate staff.
However, Farthing said the issue now is getting to the airport in Kabul.
He told TalkRadio that he has been in touch with the Foreign Office and submitted a list of staff to be vetted.
“At the moment the one problem we’ve got is getting to the airport,” he said yesterday. “We just need to get the outside of that airport secure.”
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