Kyiv അ Ajmal Rahmani decided to leave Afghanistan four months before the Taliban regime came to power. Just over a year later, Rahmani and his family are fleeing to the Polish border, reuniting with their dreams and lives during the Russian occupation of Ukraine.
Rahmani’s life took a turn for the worse when US-NATO forces decided to leave Afghanistan. Rahmani, 40, who worked for NATO at the Kabul airport for 18 years, was forced to flee to Ukraine with his family after being assured that the Taliban would infiltrate strategic locations in Afghanistan.
‘I had the best living conditions in Afghanistan. Very happy life. I lost everything during the Taliban invasion. He came to Ukraine with his wife and children after selling his car, house and belongings. By the time the U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, my family and I had received a number of threats. Frightened, I did not even drop my children off at school for months.
Arranging a visa to leave Afghanistan was not easy. Ukraine welcomed it with open arms. It is unfortunate that the country that was granted political asylum today has to become a refugee again to save lives in the face of a similar crisis. What can I say but bad luck, ” Ajmal Rahmani told AFP.
Ajmal Rahmani with family (Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP)
He arrived in Poland on a 30-kilometer trek with his wife, Mina, and children, Marva and Omar. The total crossed 1,110 km. Like other refugees, Rahmani and his family sought refuge without a Polish visa. It should take 15 days to complete the registration process.
With the start of the mass exodus from Ukraine, millions of people are reaching the border areas. Most go to Poland, but also to Moldova, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.
As of last Thursday, an estimated 213,000 refugees had crossed the Ukrainian border into Poland. At the border, in minus 2 degrees Celsius, Rahmani and his family are waiting for the authorities’ mercy, along with other refugees.
English Summary: From Afghan to Ukraine: Journey of a family from one war to another