KABUL (SW) – In quest for a safe shelter and better living conditions, many Afghan citizens have been choosing the path of irregular migration that seldom helps end their sufferings.
Amir Khan is one such citizen who turned to irregular migration for a journey towards Europe. “The situation was alarming in Afghanistan when we left. It was insecure, there were many other difficulties, I had no money, but I still wanted to face these difficulties and try my luck by escaping to another country for a better life”, Amir Khan – who has now arrived in a European country with great difficulty – said while recounting the sufferings he endured on the way to Europe
But, the problems and hardships of Amir Khan not ended with him reaching Europe. When he arrived at an immigration camp, he was quarantined amid the coronavirus pandemic. Amir Khan faced many more problems inside this refugee camp.
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“The situation of the refugees is bad”, he said, adding because social distancing was not observed and risks of getting infected was high. He said the COVID-19 infections became very common and everyone was sad. “There was no work, no one was allowed to leave the camp because of the surge in coronavirus cases. And, in the camp there was a tent or a room for up to 10 to 15 people who could not maintain social distancing”, he added.
Amir Khan further said there were no precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus inside the camp, and that a number of people lost their lives as a result.
“I imagined going to Europe and finding a job there to make a living, to get rid of my debts, and to have a good and quiet life. But no, it was not like this”, he sighed.
Commenting on the situation of the migrants, Sayed Abdul Basit Ansari, Media Advisor to the Ministry of Refugees and Returnees, said that representatives of the Afghan government are working to solve the problems of migrants in European countries. “Our representatives are active in Iran, Pakistan and Greece. We have representation in these countries. They work in practice and solve the problems of our compatriots.”
Ansari added that the decision to return Afghan refugees to the country up to them. He said the ministry officials are working with other agencies on a plan for the return of migrants. “Measures are put in place in different sections. The employment sector, the urgent assistance that should be provided to them. In the housing sector, various departments, including the Government of Afghanistan, which only implements this plan by the Ministry of Refugees. It includes various other departments that have their own responsibilities. We hope and are ready if peace prevails in the country, we can certainly implement this plan well.”
Many Afghan citizens who have sought refuge in other countries due to war and insecurity have said they want peace in the country. They say they will return to Afghanistan if lasting peace is achieved.
ENDS
