Worker for Afghan charity praises Australia after getting out from under Taliban

An Afghan man who helped 10 children escape the new Taliban regime has praised Australia for taking him in but expressed fears for those left behind.

Escaping Kabul through the mountains in Pakistan and now finally safe in “beautiful” Australia, a charity worker who helped 10 ­orphans flee the Taliban holds grave fears for those left behind.

Khalid, who’s full name cannot be revealed for security reasons, was the Kabul-based operations director for Australian charity Mahboba’s Promise when his country fell to the Taliban forcing him to hide amid “daily executions” of Afghans associated with the west.

He fled with his wife, and their two young children, as well as 10 orphans and other charity staff granted Australian visas.

Speaking from hotel quarantine in Brisbane, Khalid told The Daily Telegraph leaving Afghanistan was “the hardest decision of my life”.

Khalid with his son Angiza, 4 and daughter Aqsa, 1 in Australian hotel quarantine after fleeing Afghanistan. Picture: Supplied

“I can see Australia from my window, it’s beautiful,” he said.

Khalid said the group were “nervous” on the road to the Pakistan border.

“We were expecting danger from the Taliban at the points so the women and younger girls were wearing the burqa,” he said.

“The Taliban were asking where were you going so I told them we’re going to ­Pakistan.

“As the women and kids were along with us, there was not too much restriction.”

He said Afghans who helped Australia are being singled out by the Taliban as helping the “enemy” and he believed the orphans left behind were in grave danger. “I decided when I joined Mahboba’s Promise in 2012 I would dedicate my life to helping the orphans and widows … and I will continue the work from Australia,” he said.

“When I am out of quarantine, I will volunteer to support the orphans.”

Khalid said he hoped his perilous escape from Afghanistan highlighted the important role Australia could still play in protecting vulnerable people from the Taliban.

“Australia has been supporting Mahboba’s Promise to do a great job in Afghanistan, they are literally saving lives and getting children off the streets,” he said. “Now they need more support than ever, not just for the orphans who come to Australia but for everyone left behind.”

Following the successful evacuation of the 17 Afghans with humanitarian visas, staff at Mahboba’s Promise, backed by legal and human rights advocates, are now hoping to work with the Australian government to get more orphans to safety.

Taliban fighters guarding a road in the Afghan city of Herat. Picture: AFP

There are up to 200 orphans and widows still at risk from militant reprisals, awaiting the result of their Australian visa application.

At the same time the charity is running an appeal where Australians can donate to support their efforts helping orphans and other displaced people in Afghanistan.