Afghanistan Refugee Crisis
Afghanistan Refugee Crisis, Hundreds of people gather outside the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
(sendrelief.org Uncredited/AP)
Written By: Aksanna Sakthi
"'Indignity is our destination,' says Seema, 30, who used to work at a health center and now roams the streets in Kabul begging to support her children." - Time, November 29, 2000
“The Afghan Adjustment Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation [was created to allow] Afghans with temporary status that undergo additional vetting to apply for permanent legal residency.”(1) There are many reasons to the why the legislation was introduced, but it was mainly to help the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process expand to more groups without the lengthy processing times. Thousands of allies in Afghanistan stood by U.S. service members while putting themselves in danger, so they deserve to have a chance at rebuilding their life in America. It’s vital that they are provided with a safe space where they can find the strength to love their new home and discover a community where they can thrive.
Over 75,000 evacuees were welcomed into the United States on temporary humanitarian status, but it's doubtful that they will be able to return to Afghanistan anytime soon as the Taliban continues to cause damage to the country. “These Afghan allies worked as journalists, translators, non-profit workers, guards, and interpreters – as well as other dangerous professions that put their and their families’ lives on the line.”(1) It’s becoming more urgent that they receive aid in these desperate times and this is one step to providing them with a path towards citizenship. Action was needed to be taken years ago, so the Afghan Adjustment Act is important to making progress.
The Taliban:
“The Taliban are a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group”(2) They are a religious faction that emerged after the Afghan War (1978-92) when the government failed to introduce order in the face of rebuilding the country. In 2001, the United States launched an invasion in Afghanistan that overthrew the regime. For the past twenty years they have been planning to strike back and in August 2021, when a peace agreement caused the United States to withdraw troops, the Taliban rose into power. After regaining control, they have imposed harsh rules and failed to provide smaller communities with the basic human rights. Failing to live up to their promises, the transition has also impacted the quality of life that is provided to Afghans as they aren’t receiving enough food on the daily. Families are starving and unable to support their children leaving them with no other choice than to seek better conditions.
The Effect on Women and Children:
“Less than one year after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, their draconian policies are depriving millions of women and girls of their right to lead safe, free and fulfilling lives,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General. (3) Most women in Afghanistan are not able to pursue an education, attain a job, or receive health care. They are constantly being persecuted for their actions and when protesting, they are detained and physically abused as punishment by the Taliban. Torture is not uncommon and is a result of women being arrested for “moral corruption”, otherwise known as not adhering to what is decreed as the proper social order for their gender. The rates for child marriage have also risen with families forcing girls to marry Taliban members in order to secure safety and ensure a stable life for them. Many people are willing to exchange their daughters as brides for money. Thousands of children have been injured or killed in the crossfire with many attacks occurring in schools and hospitals. Their childhood has already been taken away and the current situation has put them in the face of danger.
Refugees Fleeing to the United States:
The U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 was a major event and caused a substantial effect on millions of lives. In the past year, 76,000 refugees have been evacuated to the United States. Resettling in the country has been a difficult feat, but hundreds of agencies and organizations have come together to provide significant help and a few military bases are currently being used as temporary shelters. Operation Allies Welcome was initiated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last year to coordinate a relief effort and assist the thousands of Afghans that stood by the U.S. Inflation has been a concern by making it increasingly difficult to gather supplies and provide housing. The leaders that have taken on the task of aiding the cause require support so please find out what you can do locally to help. It is vital that the Afghan refugees feel safe and comfortable enough to thrive in their own skin. Leaning on the communities that we trust gives us the strength to face the world and that is what we hope Afghans will receive in America.
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