Afghanistan
The entire world looked on in horror as US led coalition troupes made a hasty departure from Afghanistan in August 2021. What was already a volatile situation was becoming profoundly worse. As foreigners flocked to the airport in Kabul in a bid to escape the immanent uncertainty and instability, nationals with the means (and some without) also scrambled to gain seats on departing aircraft. The situation was chaotic. By 15th August the Taliban had taken control of the capital city, Kabul, and the western backed government had collapsed.
Afghanistan, a land-locked country in western Asia, has endured more than 40 years of conflict and natural disasters all contributing to the current crisis - crippled public infrastructure, a collapsed health system, a strained economy, extreme poverty and food insecurity.
The war in Afghanistan has claimed around 176,000 lives since 2001. In the first half of 2021, as the Taliban increased its military offensive and made territorial gains the number of civilian casualties reached a record high. Almost 6 million Afghans have been forced to leave their homes and an estimated 3.5 million are internally displaced while there are millions of refugees living in other countries. Most of those remaining in Afghanistan are at risk and in need of humanitarian assistance. The pandemic, drought and insecurity caused by the Taliban takeover have together produced an economic and humanitarian tragedy.
Photo: Australian Refugee Council
Since August 2021, advances previously made in gaining rights for women and girls have been rolled back. Women are now prohibited from working in most jobs, their movement outside the home has been restricted and secondary schools are now only open to boys. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs has been eliminated and there are no female representatives in the new government. Additionally, 70% of media outlets have been closed and freedom of the press is practically non-existent. Citizens who are perceived to have supported the former government are targeted, evicted from their homes and persecuted. Many have been killed.
Reportedly more than 2.2 million refugees were registered in Iran and Pakistan before the 2021 Taliban takeover and a further 4 million of varying statuses have since fled Afghanistan, many with the hope of being accepted by other countries. Australia’s humanitarian program provides 13,750 places per year for Afghans with an additional 16,500 places over the next four years.
You Belong has welcomed and supported new Australians living in south east Queensland. Many young Afghans have wholeheartedly embraced the opportunities their new country offers and are now making significant and positive contributions to their communities. Rahila and Mahsa are two such young women and you can hear their stories on these videos:
Rahila’s video
Rahila’s guest podcast
Mahsa’s guest podcast
The Move2Belong Challenge - Afghanistan migration route
For the month of June, a 150+ Move2Belong participants are moving the distance of a refugee migration route in solidarity with those displaced by war and conflict. One of the migration routes featured is Afghanistan and is 280km - the distance from Kabul, Afghanistan to Pershawar, Pakistan. Keith and Trixie Buxton, grandparents from Queensland, and part of the movement and have committed to walking 280km for the month of June to raise awareness and funds for You Belong. They have raised $3000 so far and are proving that you’re never too old (or too young) to make a difference! They are doing it for Waymakers - just like Rahila and Mahsa.
Keith and Trixie Buxton
The Afghanistan migration route distance for Move2Belong Challenge
Learn more or Donate to Move2Belong. All donations are tax-deductible..
Written by Shirley Wainwright
