US Government Left to Handle Unaccompanied Minors from Afghanistan
Stampede at Afghan and Pakistan Border Leaves One Dead as Chaos Continues
September 7, 2021
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There are no American troops stationed in Afghanistan for the first time in almost 20 years. While this may be a relief for many military families, the unrest and chaos continue in Afghanistan as the Taliban asserts its governing power. Here are a few of the latest headlines surrounding this international crisis.
Afghan Evacuees at US Air Base in Germany
Ramstein Air Base in Germany is now the temporary home to approximately 14,000 evacuees from Afghanistan. Nearly 12,000 evacuees had been processed and departed the base by Wednesday morning. However, well over 14,000 evacuees remained at the US base in Ramstein-Miesenbach.
This air base is also where the 20 injured US service members were transferred for medical treatment after last week’s deadly suicide bombing just outside the Kabul airport. These injuries ranged from blast wounds to gunshot trauma. The injured military members are now recovering at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the US.
Ramstein Overflowing
As one of the largest military outposts located outside of the US, Ramstein has become the hub of activity for the Afghanistan evacuation efforts. Over 100 planes have landed at the base since August 20. Most of these aircraft were C-17s, filled to capacity with hundreds of people fleeing the torn country.
While Ramstein was equipped with enough tents to accommodate 10,000 evacuees, these shelters filled quickly as the people began arriving in droves. In addition to providing shelter, the air base is also distributing three hot meals per day. Although there are portable toilets and washing stations provided, this is the only hygiene access the evacuees can count on.
Thousands of Afghan Children at Ramstein
The base is also now home to over 6,000 Afghan children. The US State Department is currently trying to identify and process dozens of minors that arrived without an adult. Many of these children were separated from their parents during the chaos that ensued after the Taliban took over and thousands of Afghan citizens fled the region.
US officials at Ramstein had to act quickly to procure enough diapers and formula to provide for the hundreds of infants now in their care. At least one dozen babies have been born to Afghan families since the evacuations began. The military base has set up play areas and fields for the children.
Unaccompanied Minors Arriving in the US?
Despite reports on the ground of hundreds of unaccompanied minors arriving at Ramstein, the US State Department says that there are “very few” Afghan minors arriving in the US that do not have adult chaperones. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that they are working to reunite these children with their families.
Various departments are working in tandem to identify the unaccompanied children and put them into protective custody until a family member can be located. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is responsible for placing the children in culturally appropriate facilities with caregivers that speak Dari or Pashto.
Stampede at Afghan Border Kills at Least One Person
A stampede at the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan has taken the life of at least one man. The man’s son said that the family had been trying to cross the border into Pakistan when the crowds from the back began to push forward, causing the deadly stampede. Many people at the front were trapped against a building at the border crossing.
Thousands of Afghan citizens have tried to cross over into Pakistan at the Spin Boldak-Chaman land border. Although Pakistan has said repeatedly that it is not accepting Afghan refugees, this border remains open. Pakistan says that it is only accepting people traveling into the country for medical treatment or those who have an Afghan identity document that indicates that they live in Kandahar.
Over Two Dozen California Students Remain in Afghanistan
According to the San Juan Unified School District, 27 students ranging from elementary to high school are stuck in Afghanistan. The students had been in the country for personal reasons, primarily visiting family before school started again. The district said that the students are stuck in the war-torn nation with the last US military planes leaving the region a few days ago.
District officials are working with the federal government to provide the pertinent information needed to bring the students home to the US safely.
Taliban Flaunts Military Weapons
The Taliban held a victory celebration on Wednesday, showing off the many American armored vehicles and weapons that it had recently seized from US troops and Afghan military forces. The parades were held in the city of Kandahar. In addition, the Taliban flaunted the weapons with an air display featuring a Black Hawk helicopter.
The day earlier, the Taliban released videos showing their forces walking through an airport hangar in Kabul littered with equipment and weapons from US troops. The Taliban were also taped posing for pictures inside the cockpits of Afghan Air Force aircraft.
The airport in Kabul has still not resumed operations.
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