Afghan Journalist Refugees

January 2025

Hello - Happy New Year! Many of you have been on this journey with us from the start. As you know, we have used every penny of donated funds to directly support Afghan journalists who fled to safety following the US withdrawal of forces in 2021. We have helped resettle 12-14 families so far, working with recognised international organisations like Free Press Unlimited, RSF and UN agencies.

I'm a lifelong journalist (ex-BBC) who has worked in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, among other places. My colleague Louise Hidalgo still works at the BBC by day.

Together, we have one case left: Nabila: a young journalist and health educator whose father was picked up by the Taliban in 2021 - and was never seen again. She is now the breadwinner for her family - mother and siblings. Blacklisted by the Taliban, Nabila had to leave and was provided a safe house for a time.

This photo is Nabila's sister. Bright and studious, she was thriving at school - until the Taliban took over. Nabila, her mother and siblings are now in Pakistan and seeking permanent refuge. While they wait, her little sister can't attend school.

We use your funds to cover basic living expenses for Afghan journalists who have managed to leave their home country. They reach out to us sometimes on social media, sometimes through others we've helped. We've verified our recipients through photo IDs, employment proof, proof of journalistic activity and on the ground through international NGOs. We apply for and receive occasional grants/funds from agencies like the International Women's Media Foundation. Our fundraising is erratic because we do this on the side, and the money/processes/outcomes are erratic. There has been no central, coherent process for Afghan refugees escaping the Taliban.

Currently, Louise has been subsidising this family's needs from her own pocket - but this isn't sustainable.

Please support Louise as she fights to get the family refugee status, applies for financial assistance and eventually tries to get them to permanent safety. It's (collectively) our last resettlement case. Louise is carrying on the work - with me in very small supporting role. Please help if you can!

All funds go direct to Nabila via money transfer. We have worked meticulously to document funds transfers and the veracity of our recipients through multiple local journalists and aid sources. We can provide extensive records of how funds are spent on request.