Dozens of Afghan families staying in London hotels as part of a faltering resettlement scheme are declaring themselves homeless or asking to be sent home.

In London, more than 200 families have asked councils for emergency accommodation, with Greenwich Council calling the government's handling of the emergency a "catastrophic failure."

London Councils have urged people to stay with the government scheme, despite families requesting urgent accommodation as they are worried that the Home Office will move them across the UK away from family and friends.

The organisation, which represents the city's 32 boroughs, found 89% of the 204 families who have registered as homeless were unsure whether they are on the resettlement scheme.

The south east London borough of Greenwich took in and provided space for quarantine for 700 Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover in August, but despite urgent requests they say have received little to no help from central government.

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On September 2, the council wrote an urgent letter to the Prime Minister and Local Government Secretary demanding support, and five days latter slammed them for "completely failing" refugees as the 700 prepared to exit quarantine with no clear plan for where they were to go next.

Last week Afghans who had recently arrived in the UK asked to be sent back, sparking more concern over the success of the Government's Operation Warm Welcome.

One doctor, who has been working with the newly arrived Afghans for weeks but who requested anonymity, told The Guardian: “I’ve had a few patients telling me they want to go home.

"One guy, who was 67, kept saying: ‘I can’t take this any more. I have to get out of this [hotel] room.’ ”

The GP, an Afghan who fled the country in 2000 when the Taliban were previously in power, added: “Another said: ‘I just want my freedom from the hotel.’ I had to put him on medication, and his wife, because they were so upset.”

The leader of Greenwich Council, Cllr Danny Thorpe, described the government’s programme as a “shocking failure", slamming the lack of organisation and support since the refugees arrived as "unforgivable".

He said: “There was a huge mismatch between the rhetoric of senior government politicians and their actions to support those people.”

Darren Rodwell of London Councils is urging all families in hotels to wait for clarification.

"The last thing we want is vulnerable people placed in more vulnerable communities," he said.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Through the effort and support of local councils, thousands of people were swiftly evacuated by our Armed Forces and have now been warmly welcomed to the UK and are being provided with permanent homes as quickly as possible."

"Those resettling here have access to essential provision, healthcare, education, and Universal Credit, while we arrange further wrap around support to enable these families to build a successful life in the UK."