The Duchess of Cambridge has met RAF aircrews and medics who helped evacuate thousands of Afghans from their country following the Taliban takeover.
The duchess, 39, arrived by helicopter at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this afternoon to meet military personnel and civilians involved in the rescue efforts.
After the Taliban swept into Kabul on August 15, thousands of people descended on the city’s airport in a bid to flee the insurgents.
As part of Operation Pitting, Britain airlifted some 15,000 Afghans including 850 who arrived at RAF Brize Norton where they were given practical support like food, clothing, children’s toys and medical help while their details were processed.
The duchess was dressed in navy trousers, a white top and a beige blazer for her meeting.
Servicemen and women greeted her with a salute before she was seen laughing and chatting with them while observing social distancing.
Kate is married to Britain’s Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, a former RAF search and rescue pilot.
In 2013 he left his role to pursue charity work following a seven-year career in the military.
Operation Pitting involved every unit at the military base, with personnel working alongside the Royal Navy, Army, local authorities and aid organisations in Afghanistan and the UK.
Thousands of applicants and their dependents were transported out of the country under the Arap (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) scheme.
Brize Norton’s full fleet of RAF transport aircraft flew around the clock to support the evacuation, including a record flight for an RAF C17 Globemaster which carried 439 passengers out of Kabul.
Aircraft involved in the operation also carried supplies ranging from clothing and baby food for the evacuees.
The scheme was set up in April to relocate Afghan interpreters and other people who worked for the UK government and British Army in Afghanistan.
Initially, successful applicants were offered a permit for five years’ residency but the government later changed this to permanent residency.
In addition to the Arap scheme, the government announced they will allow a total of 20,000 Afghans to settle in the UK in the long-term.
Women, children and religious and ethnic minorities who are considered at greater risk from the Taliban will be given priority.
The Home Office has said councils who offer to support Afghan refugees will be given £20,520 per person, over three years, for resettlement and integration costs.
Some £4,500 per child will also be provided for education, £850 to cover English language courses for adults and £2,600 to cover healthcare.
And the previously announced Afghan Housing Costs Fund will increase from £5 million to £17 million and run for two extra years to help local authorities provide housing.
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
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The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
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Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
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Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
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THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
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The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
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