Hello everyone,
My wife is a linguist who helped out US Special Operations Forces (her sisters did as well), but their family is trapped in Afghanistan. Her cousin, in particular, is in desperate need. He was an interpreter, helping the US Army in 2010 and 2011, and his family is stuck.
Three members have already been found and executed by the Taliban for being related to him. They need to get out or they will be dead soon too, since the whole family and subtribe was known for being very anti-Taliban and pro-US. It's going to be costly and time is short.
I don't like asking for anything, neither does her family, but we're desperate now. We thought, when we started this that this was only for the Kandahar family and we had a way to get the Kabul family out, but we were informed last night that no one will receive no help from our government. We think we can the Kabul family out, but it's going to be dangerous. We have a plan to get the Kandahar family out as well. We're going to have to pay smugglers to get both families to Pakistan, house and feed them there, and then fly them to the States on our own dime.
I have a gofundme for my wife's family. It will help pay for smugglers, dealing with the border, and setting up safe houses while we figure out how to get them into a more permanent situation with the rest of the family in the US.
That's the link, if you want to check it. Even if you don't want to donate (I get it, times are tough), please at least pass it on.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
UPDATE 29 AUG:
This has been amazing and touching and more things that are difficult for me to describe, and I have to tell you that my wife's family is so very grateful. We spoke to the stranded females in Kabul tonight and they are overwhelmed that so much support is coming from people who do not know them. They are very touched and had tears of gratitude.
Because this is not a secure communication, I don't want to get into any detail, but we are hoping for movement sometime soon. This will get them to Stage 1 of safety, but not out of the woods. Stage 2 will see the family move to a much more safe location where we can complete their visa process and bring them to their new home.
Cross your fingers, say prayers, knock on wood, whatever you believe in. This first movement is everything. If we can make this work, I have a lot of faith we can complete this exfil and get them to safety.
Again, thank you so much!
On a lighter note, much of my wife's family doesn't watch a ton of football but now, a bunch of them have said they are now Pats fans. We do have the best fan base in football, bar none!
UPDATE 04 SEP:
Stage 1 of the exfil is complete. It was very scary. They were supposed to take 7 hours to get to their destination, but they went offline for 20 hours, giving us a huge scare.
We're working Stage 2 and setting up for what happens once they're to safety. This will be a long road.
The support has been amazing. I'm working phones, talking to a lot of people, trying to make things work from our side. Afghanistan is a scary place right now, and the worst atrocities are just starting now that the media scrutiny is less intense.