Photo Courtesy of angelusnews.com
Prior to leaving office, former President Donald Trump “announced the withdrawal of most U.S. troops by September 11, 2021, ending a twenty-year presence in Afghanistan” -(persecution.org). President Biden ordered for the withdrawal to happen by the end of August instead.
On August 12, 2021, persecution.org stated, “the U.S. Embassy began evacuating personnel amidst the rapidly deteriorating conditions and growing threat of Taliban encroachment on Kabul.” As a result, President Biden deployed 6,000 troops in this evacuation. The Taliban had already shut down roads in surrounding cities. The feeling of chaos, fear, and hopelessness was what people were feeling as they tried to leave the country. Circumstances got so bad to the point where people were hanging from planes and suddenly falling to their death.
“In preparation for the U.S. military withdrawal, Congress had expanded the number of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) from 10,000 to 18,000 available for Afghans who have worked with the US military.”- (persecution.org). The number of SIVs does not include family members who need to be evacuated.
As the Taliban has progressively taken over the country, the built-up fear amongst Afghans, has resulted in them seeking refuge in neighboring European countries. Many Afghans, however, lack many resources to seek refuge and are forced to stay in the country and face the rules made by the Taliban.
Going back to the point of many Afghans lacking resources to seek refuge, women and children are facing the same if not worse problems. Rescue.org states, “The IRC (International Rescue Committee) warns of an invisible crisis in Afghanistan, as 50% of those in need of humanitarian assistance are women and girls. An aid shortfall means they stand to lose out on urgently needed services.” IRC fears that the uncertain circumstances in the country violence against women and child miscarriage may increase.
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