My telephone buzzed and I answered it with trepidation.
It was 15 August 2021 and the decision was from my job, urging me not to enter work that day.
The unthinkable had occurred – the Taliban had taken management of Kabul and my life was in speedy hazard. It’s because I labored on the airport for the Worldwide Safety Help Power, which helped present safety to NATO and US employees, however the Taliban was towards them.
Consequently, I had no selection however to flee my residence nation. Nearly three years later, I’m now within the UK, however I’m being pressured to uproot my life but once more.
Earlier than the Taliban took over, my life in Afghanistan was nice. I had a secure job and was incomes good cash.
However when each the US and NATO pulled in another country within the weeks and months main as much as that fateful day in Kabul, I grew to become more and more nervous.
Nobody may consider that the Taliban may seize the capital, not to mention so quickly inside a two-week offensive.
As quickly as I acquired the alert about not coming into work, I packed a bag and left my residence instantly – informing my household of my plans to flee the nation to neighbouring Pakistan.
Fortunate I did, as a result of Taliban fighters really got here to my home that exact same evening and requested my brother the place I used to be. He lied and mentioned he didn’t know.
By the very subsequent day, I had made my method to Pakistan on foot.
After two or three days, I made a decision to go to Iran, then to Turkey as a result of I had some household there. I stayed there for round a 12 months whereas I got here up with a plan for what to do – together with discovering a superb smuggler to get me to security in Europe.
Finally, I crossed the border into Greece, then a ship to Italy, after which onto France.
I began attending school and I really feel fortunate to have the ability to research, whereas I additionally go to prayers every week at an area mosque
That is the place I assumed I would keep, however folks I met there suggested me to go to the UK as a result of I knew the language higher and I used to be informed it was a rustic that was sympathetic to the plight of Afghans.
Many individuals suggested me to not cross the English Channel on a small boat as a result of it was too harmful, so there have been smugglers I paid to get on a lorry and are available by truck.
After I lastly arrived on UK soil in April final 12 months, I felt relieved and comfortable that my journey was lastly over. Fortunately, I used to be in a position to replace my household through WhatsApp to inform them that I used to be protected.
After a brief House Workplace interview the place I supplied my ID card to show that I labored with NATO, I used to be given an tackle for lodging in Haringey whereas I waited for my essential interview.
It’s a small, quiet resort in a superb north London location that homes as much as 30 folks.
That is the place I first got here throughout the Haringey Migrant Help Centre, who’ve been supporting me with recommendation and casework assist, in addition to connecting me with Duncan Lewis Solicitors. My interview with the House Workplace is definitely this week so I’m nervous however hopeful about that.
I acquired discover from the House Workplace contractor managing the resort I’m staying in that they’re closing it down. I used to be devastated
During the last 12 months or so, I began attending school and I really feel fortunate to have the ability to research, whereas I additionally go to prayers every week at an area mosque. Sadly, I can’t work whereas I’m ready for an asylum resolution so I battle with the pressured idleness of my state of affairs.
However to additional complicate issues, in December final 12 months, I acquired discover from Clearsprings – the House Workplace contractor managing the resort I’m staying in – that they’re closing it down. I used to be devastated as a result of I used to be solely simply beginning to really feel settled.
I used to be to be moved to Napier Barracks, nevertheless it’s fairly removed from the assist community I’ve constructed up in Haringey so I didn’t need to go there. Fortunately, my native MP, Catherine West, intervened and the relocation didn’t go forward.
As a substitute, the House Workplace tried to ship me on the Bibby Stockholm barge – an engineless barge for asylum seekers, the place somebody took their very own life final 12 months. I didn’t need to find yourself with the identical destiny so my lawyer efficiently appealed the choice.
I don’t know the place I’ll be despatched subsequent however I’ve been informed that I’ll discover out this week. All I do know is that the Haringey resort can be closed by 19 April so I’ll have to simply accept no matter new lodging I’m given.
I’m devastated as a result of I possible gained’t be capable to go to my native mosque or grocery store anymore. The gap can be too far and the prices of transport too nice. My life was lastly beginning to really feel considerably settled and that is the very last thing I wanted proper earlier than my huge House Workplace interview.
After all, I hope for a constructive resolution on my asylum case this week. Then I hope to have the ability to get a job to have the ability to pay for my very own lodging.
The Authorities must clear the asylum seeker backlog so that folks like me can get on with our lives. I labored with NATO and I wouldn’t have left Afghanistan if my life wasn’t in peril – certainly this work with western nations ought to depend for one thing.
I’ll not know the place I’m going to be residing within the UK however fortunately, not less than I’m in a rustic the place I really feel protected. My household – who’re nonetheless in Pakistan – aren’t so fortunate.
I don’t know what’s going to change into of them and there’s a lot uncertainty proper now. All I need is for some sense of stability proper now.
As informed to James Besanvalle, through translator supplied by Clear Voice.
The title of the writer has been modified to guard his id. For extra details about Haringey Migrant Help Centre, go to their web site right here.
Do you’ve a narrative you’d wish to share? Get in contact by emailing James.Besanvalle@metro.co.uk.
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