The 300 Afghan evacuees who last week arrived in Qatar, waiting in a compound near the capital Doha until they can travel on to their final destinations. For about sixty of them, that is the Netherlands. After fleeing the Taliban regime, they are relieved to be safe. They can catch their breath in Doha.
The compound was built for next year’s World Cup and is located in a quiet spot on the edge of the city. The evacuees stay in separate houses with kitchens and several bedrooms. There is a playground, a football field, a shop and a kind of cultural center.
The most terrible stories are told about what it was like under the Taliban. People are incredibly emotional, cry easily and have had to leave everything behind. They are very grateful to be here now.
A lot to process
For example, Najla, who fled with her three children. Her husband was killed by the Taliban because he looked after foreigners had worked. She had heard good stories about the Netherlands from him and Najla hopes to be able to go there with her children.
“When I came here, I was very happy because of the life of my three children,” Najla says:
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