Ceredigion council is “urgently considering options” to welcome people fleeing the recent events in Afghanistan.

The county has resettled a number of Syrian refugees over the past five years, and the county council said this morning that it was working on plans to provide safe haven for Afghan people fleeing the country as the Taliban moves to take full control of the country.

A Ceredigion council spokesperson said: “In view of the speed and impact of recent events in Afghanistan, Ceredigion County Council is urgently considering the options available and is in contact with UK Government officials.”

Powys council has already agreed to take in refugees from Afghanistan.

The Welsh Government has also said it will work with local authorities and the UK Government.

Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt said: "The Welsh government is working very hard with our local authorities, and indeed with the UK government, to ensure that we can do what we can to provide support in the right places to find homes for people fleeing the situation in Afghanistan.

"We are working towards being a nation of sanctuary."

Earlier this week, Ceredigion MP Ben Lake called on the UK Government not to turn a blind eye to events unfolding in Afghanistan.

Mr Lake said: “After 20 years, over a quarter of a million civilians lives lost, thousands displaced, 457 British soldiers dead – with many more at home suffering from both mental and physical injuries because of this bitter war, the world looks on in horror at the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Afghanistan.

“The implications for Afghanistan’s civilians will be horrific – not least for women and girls who, according to reports, are already being denied access to education, work, basic freedoms, and civil rights with brutal and draconian restrictions being placed upon them.

“We urge the UK Government and the international community not to turn a blind eye and to stand by their obligations and press any future Afghan government to protect and sustain progressive gains made in justice and education.”

Announcing plans to settle up to 25,000 Afghan refugees in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have worked with us to make Afghanistan a better place over the last 20 years.

"Many of them, particularly women, are now in urgent need of our help. I am proud that the UK has been able to put in place this route to help them and their families live safely in the UK.

"The best solution for everyone is an Afghanistan that works for all Afghans. That means the international community coming together to set firm, political conditions for the country’s future governance. And it means focusing our efforts on increasing the resilience of the wider region to prevent a humanitarian emergency."

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "The UK Government will always stand by those in the world in their hour of need when fleeing persecution or oppression.

"I want to ensure that as a nation we do everything possible to provide support to the most vulnerable fleeing Afghanistan so they can start a new life in safety in the UK, away from the tyranny and oppression they now face.

"Our country has a proud history of offering sanctuary to those in need. We will not abandon people who have been forced to flee their homes and are now living in terror of what might come next. The Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme will save lives."