Canada will accept 5,000 Afghan refugees evacuated by the US, the government announced on Tuesday.


In a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said that the two countries had reached an agreement to “closely cooperate” on the safe passage of US and Canadian citizens, as well as Afghan nationals who served both countries, and their families. The 5,000 refugees will be accepted as part of a wider plan to house 20,000 refugees. Included in their number are persecuted minorities, human rights advocates, journalists and members of Afghanistan’s LGBT community.


The refugees will come to Canada through other countries where they are currently being housed.

The government said they must meet “all eligibility and admissibility requirements”.



Canada has evacuated approximately 3,700 people from Afghanistan, most of whom supported Canada’s mission in the country.