First Afghan arrivals free after 14 days of quarantine, now it’s time to make them feel at home

Afghans and Australians who fled the Taliban for Adelaide have been released after their 14-day quarantine, ready for their new lives.

After 14 days of Covid quarantine in Adelaide, 89 Afghans and Australians evacuated from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan are returning to life at home or starting a new one in South Australia.

The new arrivals, including families, were the first to land in Adelaide on August 25 – ten days after the Taliban takeover of Kabul.

Some were cleared to leave their medi-hotel, the Grand Chancellor on Hindley Street, on Wednesday after final test results.

One of families Evacuees from Afghanistan, who landed on a rescue flight 14 days ago will leave medi-hotels today. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Finishing their 14 days in quarantine, Afghanistan refugees leave their medi-hotel. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Afghan United Association of SA president Hussain Razaiat said the group consisted of Australian citizens and permanent residents – many visiting family in Afghanistan when the Taliban took control – as well as Afghan citizens who assisted the Australian Defence Force and embassy and at-risk Afghans granted emergency visas.

Mr Razaiat, a member of the SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, said those on temporary visas would be settled here and interstate while their visas were processed.

He said their greatest concern upon existing the medi-hotel would be connecting with family hastily left in Afghanistan.

People who fled Taliban-ruled Afghanistan depart the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Adelaide after completing quarantine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Australian citizens and visa holders board a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft in August at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan.

“They are very worried because the Taliban has announced a hard-line government ministry and there are growing concerns it will be very difficult for those who remain, especially minority groups,” Mr Razaiat said.

He said they needed to feel connected to the South Australian community “so they don’t feel alone”.

“We should welcome them and remain sympathetic to them because they have had a really difficult time,” he said. “They have been totally shocked by the sudden takeover and are anxious about family left behind.”

Welcoming Australia and the Afghan Cultural Association of SA have been working together to source hijabs, long-sleeved clothing, sahar khiz green tea and traditional sweets to donate to new arrivals. AFL footballs and local produce are also among the culturally appropriate welcome packs being distributed.

Kate Leaney, campaigns and communications manager for Welcoming Australia, helps pack Australian and Afghan donated goods to new arrivals pat the Welcoming Centre in Bowden.

“It’s these small touches that will go a long way to making our new arrivals feel welcome and build a bridge between what they have left and where they have come,” said Kate Leaney, campaign and communications manager for Welcoming Australia.

Ms Leaney said South Australians needed to continue their hospitality: “This can’t be the end of our support.”

The first rescue flight of 89 people was one of four that landed in Adelaide, evacuating more than 400 people. The last arrivals are expected to complete their mandatory quarantine for overseas travellers by the end of September.

To support new Afghan arrivals as they settle in Australia visit www.welcoming.org.au