When American and international troops began to leave Afghanistan in August 2021, the process that everyone hoped would lead to the emergence of a mature democratic system and a strong economic structure for the country to be autonomous did not produce the desired results. The Taliban’s return to power after 20 years plunged the country back into a state of fear and chaos.
The spectre of dictatorship and the economic and financial crisis (a report by the WFP estimates that about 14 million Afghans are suffering from hunger) convinced some of the people to try to flee the country. The dramatic images of Kabul airport invaded by thousands of desperate people in search of passage to Europe or other countries are still vivid.
Among them, there are also a number of Afghan citizens whom the Cooperative “Una città non basta” welcomed on their arrival in Italy and who now need to be assisted on their journey towards inclusion.
Since their arrival in our country, the 10 Afghans (adults, young people and infants) have been welcomed in the Cooperative’s facilities which immediately adapted the premises and provided them with basic necessities. In the days and weeks following their arrival, those working for the cooperative started mediated with, getting to know and listen to the refugees and provide medical and bureaucratic assistance. Some of them are about to start an Italian course.
AMU is supporting operations to welcome the refugees by allocating funds to cover the costs to support and assist the refugees: