Plain text: 

The Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab MP

Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

King Charles St

London

SW1A 2AH

Sent via email

Monday, 16 August 2021

Dear Dominic,

Re. Nowzad charity workers in Afghanistan

We have all been horrified by the recent developments in Afghanistan. I am writing to you regarding a group of charity workers who I fear are being put at particular risk after the Taliban took control of the country. My constituents have contacted me to raise strong concerns about their safety.

The Nowzad Dogs Charity was founded in 2007 by Pen Farthing, a former Royal Marine Commando. He founded the charity after rescuing a dog he found whilst serving in Nowzad, Afghanistan. They employ approximately 25 staff, made up of local Afghan vets who all do incredible work rescuing animals.

I am deeply concerned for the safety of these staff in wake of the Taliban’s takeover. Under previous Taliban rule, ownership of dogs was strictly prohibited. Therefore, their admirable efforts in saving dogs, combined with the fact they work for a charity founded by a British former Royal Marine Commando, may make them a target.

I strongly urge you to take action to protect these workers. They need to be evacuated urgently and must be offered safe refuge in the UK.

Yours sincerely,

Gill Furniss MP

Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough