Interpreter Popal and his Family are in Danger

Since October of 2021, I have been trying to get “Popal” and his family out of Afghanistan. Popal was my interpreter in 2006 and was with me in during the Battle of the White School on 3 August. Many familiar with this battle will recall that four Canadian soldiers lost their lives and several more Canadians were injured during the intensive fighting. What is less known is that Popal lost his leg during this battle while serving beside me and my comrades. Shortly after losing his leg, Popal suffered a grievous injury when he was brutally shot in an assassination attempt by the Taliban for working with Canadians. Shortly after Afghanistan fell, back into the hands of the Taliban in August of 2021, Popal’s safety has been threatened on many occasions. He has spent the past year moving from house to house to hide from the Taliban who are actively searching for him to “make him pay with his life” for supporting Canadian soldiers. With his security untenable should he remain in Afghanistan, Popal had little choice but to gather his family members and fled to Pakistan last week. When the current Canadian government promised those Afghans who aided Canadian soldiers that they would be helped to leave a volatile situation, Popal applied for the program. Popal and I, and several other caring individuals continue to navigate the bureaucratic red tape and the apathetic attitudes of this government. He will need to sustain himself and his several family members while he waits in Pakistan for the Canadian government to clear the backlog of applicants. I am asking for your help and kindness to help Popal provide for his family while the Canadian attempts government makes good on its promises. It is expensive for an Afghan refugee to live in Pakistan, and he could be there for 12 months or more. I would appreciate your generosity in any amount to assist this worthy human being and his family. Funds will be used to help Popal live in Pakistan and when he arrives in Canada. Many Thanks.