WASHINGTON: More than 260 Sikhs have taken refuge in Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul and need help for their evacuation, an American Sikh body said on Sunday.
“There are more than 260 Afghan citizens left in Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Kabul, including women and more than 50 children. This includes three newborns with one born yesterday,” United Sikhs said in a statement.
So far, only India has helped evacuate Afghan Sikhs after the country was taken over by the Taliban.
“We are in communication with governments in the United States, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Tajikistan, Iran and the United Kingdom, among others,” the united Sikhs said.
“We are also in communication with international aid agencies and non-governmental organizations trying to support rescue efforts in Afghanistan. In addition, our teams are communicating with companies that can carry out rescue efforts on the ground in Afghanistan. “, he said.
According to the united Sikhs, driving 10 kilometers to Kabul International Airport from Gurdwara Karte Parwan through various checkpoints is one of the biggest challenges in the rescue efforts. Few members of Afghan minorities have tried unsuccessfully to make that trip last week, he said.
“We are ready to go to the airport, but we fear the cancellation of evacuation flights from Kabul airport. This is our only opportunity to remove women, children, the elderly and infants from the country. Once the authorities current capture the whole country will be the end of our community, ”said Surbeer Singh of Jalalabad who has taken refuge in Gurdwara.
“There are more than 260 Afghan citizens left in Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Kabul, including women and more than 50 children. This includes three newborns with one born yesterday,” United Sikhs said in a statement.
So far, only India has helped evacuate Afghan Sikhs after the country was taken over by the Taliban.
“We are in communication with governments in the United States, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Tajikistan, Iran and the United Kingdom, among others,” the united Sikhs said.
“We are also in communication with international aid agencies and non-governmental organizations trying to support rescue efforts in Afghanistan. In addition, our teams are communicating with companies that can carry out rescue efforts on the ground in Afghanistan. “, he said.
According to the united Sikhs, driving 10 kilometers to Kabul International Airport from Gurdwara Karte Parwan through various checkpoints is one of the biggest challenges in the rescue efforts. Few members of Afghan minorities have tried unsuccessfully to make that trip last week, he said.
“We are ready to go to the airport, but we fear the cancellation of evacuation flights from Kabul airport. This is our only opportunity to remove women, children, the elderly and infants from the country. Once the authorities current capture the whole country will be the end of our community, ”said Surbeer Singh of Jalalabad who has taken refuge in Gurdwara.