Skopje, 18 August 2021 (MIA) – Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Wednesday that North Macedonia offered on its own, without being asked, its services to offer refuge to Afghan civilians fleeing their country after the Taliban took over the capital Kabul. “These are people who helped NATO armies, including our army. These are peacekeepers, human rights activists, journalists, women, students, intellectuals in general. Our people should be proud of being part of a humanitarian campaign and of being one of the first to get involved,” he said, rejecting any speculation about refugee wave or the refugees possibly posing a security threat to the country. We will, he said, welcome these civilians, who are expected to arrive in the coming days. The state will cover costs for transportation from the airport to hotels. The refugees upon arrival will be offered free vaccination, free PCR test and free health checkup. Their accommodation costs will be covered by international organizations and the United States. So far, it has been confirmed that 450 people will arrive, the PM said when asked whether 450 Afghan civilians is the final number. “There might be 50 to 90 more people and the public will be informed on time as more numbers will be confirmed,” Zaev said. It's important, he said, that we lend a hand to protect the lives of children, students, women and activists.