MORE refugees from Afghanistan are set to come to the Kingdom as a senior councillor praised Fifers for their "legendary" hospitality.

Judy Hamilton, convener of the communities and housing sub committee, said locals are already rallying to help those fleeing the country after the Taliban seized power.

She said talks are underway to accept more refugees and told councillors: "By now I'm sure all of us will have received offers from people having workplace collections or wanting to donate goods and help and looking for a way to do that.

"That's typical of Fifers as the way Fife welcomes people is legendary.

"The way they stepped up for Syrian refugees was absolutely superb and it's happening again.

"They don't even know who is coming yet but they've stepped up and said 'We will welcome them and accept them into Fife' so I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has made such a tremendous effort.

"Those efforts are being co-ordinated through Fife Voluntary Action so their website and social media pages will give details of places where those donations can be accepted and sorted to make sure they're distributed correctly."

Cllr Hamilton continued: "Fife has a long and proud history of welcoming and supporting refugees from throughout the world.

"In 2014-15 we took part in the original Afghan Relocation Scheme and rehomed and supported Afghan interpreters.

"In 2016 we took part in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme, which is ongoing and we're continuing to receive Syrian refugees.

"Now in 2021 we have the new Afghan scheme, the Locally Employed Scheme, where we have initially agreed to accept 10 families.

"However you will know from the news that the scale and pace of the crisis is growing all the time and we do recognise that number will increase, so we're talking with our partners about how we do that.

"The situation is changing all the time and we have officers who are living and breathing this at the moment."

While the crisis in Afghanistan is dominating the headlines, she said Fifers who are in need of support will not be forgotten by the council.

She added: "We do recognise we still need to support our own homeless people, we need to support overcrowded families and the people that need a housing transfer for medical reasons so we're working very closely with our public sector and voluntary partners and they are ready to step up and support us."

As a priority, Fife Voluntary Action is asking for donations of goods and money to support refugees.

Visit http://www.fva.org/crisis or call 0800 389 6046 for more information.