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Afghan Women Safe

  • WONDERFUL NEWS!

      2 September 2021

    Such marvellous news to report: All three families are now safely in New Zealand!

    They were the lucky ones. They made the NZ Defence Force flights and managed to get out by the September 1st deadline. They will be able to rebuild new lives here in New Zealand, as our very newest New Zealanders. Haere Mai--and Kia Kaha to the new challenges ahead.

    For others who may now be able to access these donations, it is still a huge unknown at this point. Will the Taliban allow Qatar Airlines or others to maintain commercial flights in a bid not to cut themselves off from commercial travel? It's very possible. Who will be able to access them? And if not, will overland borders remain open to those Afghan-Kiwis who want to flee to surrounding countries to attempt to access flights to NZ, that is, if they can successfully get there--and still have funds to buy tickets?

    Even though this may not make this week's news cycle, the challenges--especially for professional Afghan women and their daughters--is still crucial and immediate. Unfortunately, even when NZ grants a family reunification visa to reunite with a loved one here, their commercial airfares are not paid for by our government. Often, this is an unsurmountable hurdle. The family have often spent all or most of their funds to get the first family member out to safety, leaving the split family on both sides of the ocean struggling just to survive, let alone raise the kind of capital it takes to save for multiple, expensive, international airfares for their wife and children.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for this emergency injection of cash to the Auckland Refugee Family Trust. They have much work still ahead of them.

    Your immediate help will transform lives. It really is that simple. This weekend, when you are feeling warm, dry and safe-- I can't help but repeat the mantra--with these riches come responsibility. And you stepped up. Keep giving your next week's lunch or coffee money, if you can.

    You are damned fine humans.

    Tracey Barnett

    Afghanistan: 375 New Zealanders, visa holders stranded as Government considers 'second phase' of evacuation effort (Stuff, August 31, 2021):

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126234665/afghanistan-375-new-zealanders-visa-holders-stranded-as-government-considers-second-phase-of-evacuation-effort

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  • Today's Tragic News, August 27, 2021

      27 August 2021

    Heartbreaking. The deaths at Kabul airport today make our efforts even more dire. I can't update you publicly on these 3 families yet, but if you can afford to give even your coffee or lunch money this week to help reunite Afghan Kiwi families--now is the time. Right now.

    Flights to the US are now $6,500 for flights. Not the NZ destination of our families of course, but gutting to see such obscene profiteering in the face of crisis.

    This effort hits home for me. As both a Kiwi and an American citizen whose countries have been in Afghanistan for almost two decades--but most pivotally, as a woman who has enjoyed the riches of education and peace--I am terrified to see what is unfolding for women and girls in Afghanistan by the day. For me, this week has only affirmed how little our real wealth has to do with money.

    To all of you who have helped us get to $18,100, you are absolutely marvellous! I recognise so many good friends' names on this list too. You are wonderful humans out there--and I am proud to know you. Thank you for reaching out.

    Thank you for doing what matters, in any small way we can.

    (Grateful to folks who feel comfortable cutting and pasting this message onto their social media pages to help spread the word. Even that small gesture helps, thanks.)

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/afghan-women-safe

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