Others will follow, assured the mayor of Lille.
Five Afghan families, particularly threatened in their country fallen into the hands of the Taliban and exfiltrated by France, were welcomed Wednesday evening in Lille, announced Thursday the mayor PS Martine Aubry on France Inter.
The first Afghans brought to safety by France arrived in Paris on Wednesday aboard an Air Force plane, which was carrying more than 200 passengers including many women and children.
Other evacuations by this airlift are planned in the coming days.
"I just regret that it took so long"
Martine Aubry had "rejoiced" on Wednesday at the exfiltration of Afghans "in imminent danger", belonging in particular to the world of culture, education, justice, health, or the media, for many which she had mobilized for a month.
"There we welcomed (...) five families among the people I told you about, and artists will still arrive today," said Martine Aubry on Thursday, specifying that other families exfiltrated via a new plane should also be hosted in Lille.
“I just wish it took so long.
Since the beginning of August, we have clearly felt the rise of the Taliban, ”she continued.
Apartments designed for these refugees
"Let's make sure to get out the thousands of people who are in danger today", pleaded the mayor, also calling on Europe to think about "how to share?
»Reception of refugees.
"We must share this welcome, as Ms. Merkel told us, the only one that once again saves the honor of Europe on this issue," she said.
According to the former minister, the city of Lille is ready to welcome at least a hundred Afghans threatened by the takeover of the Taliban, alongside six Lille cultural institutions.
The city has fitted out apartments for these refugees and launched an appeal for donations to help them take care of them.
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Martine Aubry
Lille
Taliban
Afghanistan
Refugees
Society