Australia approves budget for housing 16,500 Afghan refugees over the next four years

The Morrison administration eventually succumbed to pressure to provide additional humanitarian assistance to Afghans in addition to global resources.
The government’s previous proposals to help Afghan citizens are part of the overall humanitarian program, which is limited to 13,750 people a year.
The stance has drawn criticism from asylum seekers and religious groups, who have said Australia must take more action before leaving Afghanistan last year, given its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan.
In Tuesday evening’s budget, the government announced that it would provide humanitarian accommodation to 16,500 Afghans over the next four years, 4,125 per year.
Officials confirmed that in addition to the 13,750, the “ceiling” of the annual humanitarian program will be accepted.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said the move was “in recognition of our enduring commitment after two decades of Australian operations in Afghanistan”.
In essence, the new declaration means that Afghan citizens will have a place in both global acceptance and beyond.
According to the documents, the government will allocate $ 666 million over four years to house 16,500 Afghan nationals.
Pro-refugee groups have called for 20,000 special accommodations for Afghans. The bishops and Archbishop Anglican emphasized this request in a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Australian Christian lobby – which is in regular contact with the government – has also pressured the coalition to do more.