Six Fijians Stuck In Afghanistan’s Capital Await UN Directive

Six Fijians are still stuck in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul as the chaos worsens after the Taliban took over a week ago.

A Vanua Levu man who did not want to be named works for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

UNAMA was established in 2002 by the United Nations Security Council Resolution with the aim to assist the state and the people of Afghanistan in laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development.

He confirmed that six more Fijians were still in Afghanistan. They work in different states and for different UN agencies.

The UNAMA personnel have been indoors since the takeover.

“Our neighbourhood is a quiet one. But this has changed with the Taliban now in charge. All we hear now are gunshots.”

He said Afghanistani’s were eager to leave the country.

He also confirmed that government-chartered repatriation flights were provided to evacuate their citizens to their home countries.

“The repatriation flights were provided for the evacuation for those from the United States, UK citizens and also those from Europe.”

He said the UN has also provided a repatriation flight to evacuate their staff from Afghanistan back home. He said one of the Fijians who also worked for the UN departed on a Sydney flight to make his way back home to Fiji.

He said the six of them will remain in Afghanistan until the situation normalises and also await a directive from the UN headquarters.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Fiji Multi-Country Office Sanaka Samarasinha said: “United Nations humanitarian assistance is crucial right now and in the coming days in Kabul. While several UN staff who are not directly involved in humanitarian assistance have been temporarily relocated to a neighbouring country, including some Fijians, other UN International and National staff who are engaged in providing humanitarian and human rights support will continue to work in Afghanistan.

The UN is working around the clock to ensure safe passage for those leaving the country and to protect our colleagues who remain. Fijians and others who work for the UN in Afghanistan are being looked after, with their safety one of our key priorities.”

Edited by Rosi Doviverata

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