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Gurkhas 'come to UK with nothing' | Gurkhas 'come to UK with nothing' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Military charities say they have "grave concerns" about their ability to cope with the number of former Gurkhas coming to them for assistance. | Military charities say they have "grave concerns" about their ability to cope with the number of former Gurkhas coming to them for assistance. |
Last year those who retired before 1997 won permission to settle in the UK - and up to 12,000 may do so by 2013. | Last year those who retired before 1997 won permission to settle in the UK - and up to 12,000 may do so by 2013. |
But welfare groups say some are arriving from Nepal with no money and nowhere to live, and need their help. | But welfare groups say some are arriving from Nepal with no money and nowhere to live, and need their help. |
The Ministry of Defence says it offers advice on housing and jobs, and help to any who fall through the "safety net". | The Ministry of Defence says it offers advice on housing and jobs, and help to any who fall through the "safety net". |
According to the Army Benevolent Fund, up to 12,000 Gurkhas may apply for UK residency over the next three years. | According to the Army Benevolent Fund, up to 12,000 Gurkhas may apply for UK residency over the next three years. |
'Two suitcases' | 'Two suitcases' |
It estimates that new arrivals will need about £2,000 per household to set themselves up with accommodation, basic furniture, and appliances. | It estimates that new arrivals will need about £2,000 per household to set themselves up with accommodation, basic furniture, and appliances. |
Director of Welfare Paul Cummings told the BBC that in the two-week period before Christmas, 12 families came to the charity for help. | Director of Welfare Paul Cummings told the BBC that in the two-week period before Christmas, 12 families came to the charity for help. |
"They will arrive from an aircraft, they'll probably have two suitcases and no more," he said. | "They will arrive from an aircraft, they'll probably have two suitcases and no more," he said. |
"They're going to need everything to set up home." | "They're going to need everything to set up home." |
Mr Cummings praised the MoD for setting up a resettlement office in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, which is designed to brief applicants about the reality of life in Britain. | Mr Cummings praised the MoD for setting up a resettlement office in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, which is designed to brief applicants about the reality of life in Britain. |
They're coming here with no means of sustaining themselves Paul CummingsArmy Benevolent Fund Who are the Gurkhas? | They're coming here with no means of sustaining themselves Paul CummingsArmy Benevolent Fund Who are the Gurkhas? |
But he explained that the people he has seen simply have not been there. | But he explained that the people he has seen simply have not been there. |
"Having not been through any preparation in Nepal prior to arrival, they're coming here with no resources to back them up and no means of sustaining themselves," he said. | "Having not been through any preparation in Nepal prior to arrival, they're coming here with no resources to back them up and no means of sustaining themselves," he said. |
"It is an issue of grave concern." | "It is an issue of grave concern." |
Loan to resettle | Loan to resettle |
Until last year, Gurkhas who retired before 1997 didn't qualify to settle in the UK. | Until last year, Gurkhas who retired before 1997 didn't qualify to settle in the UK. |
But campaigners, including the actress Joanna Lumley, took their case to court and enlisted high profile supporters to persuade the government to change its policy. | But campaigners, including the actress Joanna Lumley, took their case to court and enlisted high profile supporters to persuade the government to change its policy. |
Finally, in May, it was announced that all Gurkhas who retired before 1997 and had completed more than four years service could apply to live in the UK. | Finally, in May, it was announced that all Gurkhas who retired before 1997 and had completed more than four years service could apply to live in the UK. |
One of those is Unmansingh Gurung, who is 64 and served with the brigade in the 1960s. | One of those is Unmansingh Gurung, who is 64 and served with the brigade in the 1960s. |
He arrived in the UK in October last year having taken out an £1,800 loan to pay for a visa and flights. | He arrived in the UK in October last year having taken out an £1,800 loan to pay for a visa and flights. |
He has yet to receive any benefits and went to the Army Benevolent Fund for help - they have given him £800 for food and rent. | He has yet to receive any benefits and went to the Army Benevolent Fund for help - they have given him £800 for food and rent. |
"I was a farmer in Nepal, it was hard, I didn't have enough money," he said. | "I was a farmer in Nepal, it was hard, I didn't have enough money," he said. |
"I feel very bad to be separated from my family, but it's the only choice." | "I feel very bad to be separated from my family, but it's the only choice." |
He explained that he hoped to collect money from his benefits and send it back to Nepal, then maybe bring his wife and two children over eventually. | He explained that he hoped to collect money from his benefits and send it back to Nepal, then maybe bring his wife and two children over eventually. |
This has the potential to be overwhelming Dr Hugh MilroyVeterans Aid | This has the potential to be overwhelming Dr Hugh MilroyVeterans Aid |
He would like to work, but speaks little English and has yet to find a job. | He would like to work, but speaks little English and has yet to find a job. |
Dr Hugh Milroy is chief executive of Veterans Aid, the UK's leading charity dealing with former members of the forces who become homeless. | Dr Hugh Milroy is chief executive of Veterans Aid, the UK's leading charity dealing with former members of the forces who become homeless. |
He remembers one Gurkha he met in the street outside his office in central London. | He remembers one Gurkha he met in the street outside his office in central London. |
"He literally hadn't eaten. He'd been in the country five days and he was struggling already." | "He literally hadn't eaten. He'd been in the country five days and he was struggling already." |
That case was time-consuming and complex - but Dr Milroy's greatest concern is for families trying to find somewhere to live. | That case was time-consuming and complex - but Dr Milroy's greatest concern is for families trying to find somewhere to live. |
"There are no houses and even if we've put them in a house, it's about your physical, psychological and financial ability to sustain that house." | "There are no houses and even if we've put them in a house, it's about your physical, psychological and financial ability to sustain that house." |
Financial burden | Financial burden |
Dr Milroy said military charities were helping the Gurkhas and would continue to do so in the future. | Dr Milroy said military charities were helping the Gurkhas and would continue to do so in the future. |
"We cope well on a national basis, but this has the potential to be overwhelming and that is very worrying," he added. | "We cope well on a national basis, but this has the potential to be overwhelming and that is very worrying," he added. |
Mr Cummings also said the Army Benevolent Fund was coping at the moment, but if the projected 12,000 do apply, the financial burden could become excessive. | Mr Cummings also said the Army Benevolent Fund was coping at the moment, but if the projected 12,000 do apply, the financial burden could become excessive. |
"If you provided £2,000 pounds to help each family that arrived, you're talking about a total of £24 million. | "If you provided £2,000 pounds to help each family that arrived, you're talking about a total of £24 million. |
"What we need to try and make sure is that people are making the decision to come to the UK knowing what they will face when they get here." | "What we need to try and make sure is that people are making the decision to come to the UK knowing what they will face when they get here." |
The MoD said that more than 2,000 people had attended its settlement office in Nepal since it opened three months ago. | The MoD said that more than 2,000 people had attended its settlement office in Nepal since it opened three months ago. |
It added: "By working closely with other government departments, we have also put fast-tracking arrangements in place to ensure that ex-Gurkhas arriving in the UK receive all the support and benefits that the welfare system offers." | It added: "By working closely with other government departments, we have also put fast-tracking arrangements in place to ensure that ex-Gurkhas arriving in the UK receive all the support and benefits that the welfare system offers." |
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