Reduction, and Fear, for Arrivals From Afghanistan

CHANTILLY, Va. — 1000’s of Afghan refugees and People have arrived within the Washington area prior to now few days, discovering shelter and a way of reduction after shuffling from nation to nation and generally heading off violent assaults from the Taliban whereas fleeing Kabul.

At Dulles Worldwide Airport on Wednesday, Afghans have been processed and examined for the coronavirus in a closed-off part. Staff on the airport, in Northern Virginia, then escorted many onto constitution buses all through the day, taking them to the close by Dulles Expo Middle, the place households have been being briefly housed.

Most refugees introduced few belongings. Some kids carried knapsacks over their shoulders. Mother and father held wailing infants and stacks of diapers. Others had solely plastic luggage full of garments.

Greater than 6,000 Afghans have arrived within the Virginia space, Gov. Ralph Northam mentioned on Tuesday. Many refugees are staying on the Expo Middle earlier than being shuttled to Fort Lee or Fort Pickett, the place plans are made to launch them in Virginia or different states.

No less than 1,500 Americans and tens of 1000’s of Afghans who concern retribution from the Taliban stay within the nation, and the Kabul airport has been a scene of chaos and violence with crowds of determined folks making an attempt to flee because the U.S. army’s Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline closes in.

Those that have made it out mentioned they have been relieved to reach in the USA, though many nonetheless feared for members of the family caught in Kabul.

Kamran, 23, arrived at Dulles at four a.m. on Wednesday along with his sister and three cousins. After evacuating from Kabul and stopping in Bahrain, he mentioned he felt good about touchdown in America.

“I really feel protected right here,” he mentioned earlier than boarding one of many buses. “I believe it’s a greater place.”

Kamran left for the Kabul airport 5 days in the past, bringing solely a small backpack with two shirts, two pairs of denims, a pair of sneakers and his cellphone charger. Whereas pushing his approach by to get to the American aspect of the airport, Taliban members beat his head and shoulders with batons. He finally made it by and spent two days on the airport, which he mentioned have been excruciating as a result of the solar was “burning” scorching and there was not sufficient water for everybody.

Together with a gaggle of different Afghans arriving in Virginia, Kamran took a bus to the Expo Middle, the place refugees got meals, drinks and a spot to relaxation.

Exterior the middle, refugees stepped off buses into the sweltering warmth and have been rapidly taken inside. A row of buses lined the aspect of the constructing, which was blocked off by metallic boundaries and yellow police tape.

Kamran mentioned he didn’t but know what he would do in America or the place he would completely dwell. For now, he hopes to finish up in California, the place one among his sisters lives.

“We’re simply ready and seeing what is going to occur,” he mentioned.

Noah, a 31-year-old everlasting resident who was visiting his household in Afghanistan, left the Expo Middle on Wednesday afternoon along with his spouse, 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. Heading to his residence in Harmony, Calif., he mentioned he was blissful to be again, though he was exhausted after passing by Qatar and Germany.

On the air base in Doha, Qatar, he mentioned, 1000’s of individuals have been cramped collectively and there was “nothing to eat.” He needed to go away two items of bags along with his garments and paperwork on the aircraft there, and he isn’t positive methods to retrieve them.

He additionally expressed concern for his mother and father and siblings again in Kabul. His brother, who helped U.S. contractors in Afghanistan, is making use of for a particular immigrant visa. He’s uncertain, although, that it is going to be granted. Though his brother went to the airport with him, Noah mentioned he was denied a flight to America.

Nadima, a 36-year-old former authorities worker in Afghanistan, fled Kabul the day the Taliban seized management. After her co-workers have been stopped by Taliban members on their approach to the workplace, they advised her to get on a flight overseas.

Strolling greater than two hours to the airport, she noticed vehicles “bumper to bumper” and felt a “sense of panic” as folks feared the return of the Taliban, she mentioned.

“I felt heavy,” she mentioned. “All the pieces I labored for, 20 years of labor, crumbling in entrance of my eyes.”

She finally secured a flight to Ukraine that day and arrived at Dulles on Aug. 17. She is now staying with a pal in Arlington, Va., and he or she hopes to discover a job quickly.

On the airport on Wednesday, the scene exterior the processing middle was tense. Anxious members of the family paced round, ready for his or her family members to emerge. Many stopped airport employees to ask about flight arrival instances.

Joe, a 35-year-old hospitality employee who lives in Prince William County, Va., arrived on the airport at 8:30 a.m. to attend for his spouse and two daughters to land. His spouse left for Kabul with their kids in early June to attend her brother’s marriage ceremony, which was speculated to happen on Aug. 15, the day the Taliban took management of the capital.

“I’m feeling a bit extra relieved figuring out they’re on a flight residence, however I might be so much happier if I noticed them already,” he mentioned.