5. October political leaders from 70 countries will meet in Brussels for a conference on Afghanistan to discuss Afghanistan's development strategy and give the international community an opportunity to promise their sustained support.
We have spoken with civilian Afghans about what they want from the power people who meet in Brussels this week and what they wish for the future of their country. Here are their answers:
Where shall I go with my kids?
”I wish for peace and security in my country,” says Ghowsuddin (50).
Together with his wife and five children he had to flee his home in Helmand in a rush due to ongoing fighting in their area. They even had no time to put on some shoes on the youngest kid. Now they have arrived Herat, and are wondering where they can find shelter for the night.
”When security is not provided, people are fleeing to neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Iran. We can’t go there though, because they are not allowing us anymore,” says Ghowsuddin.
He pleas for support, so that his family can get a roof over their head.
”Witness my situation. Where shall I go with all these kids? I don’t have money to leave my country and ask for asylum in foreign countries”.
Safety for children when they go to school
”I need to be both a father and a mother for my children. It is difficult, taking the responsibility of two people”, says Noria (35).
After her husband was killed and their home destroyed, the young widow has settled down in a neighbourhood at the outskirts of Kabul, where she is working to establish her own home.
”My message to world leaders is that I want them to continue to pay attention to Afghanistan. We want our children to be safe when they are going to school. If there could be more schools in the area, I would not need to be worried about my children walking a long distance to get to school”, she says.
Peace
”Peace”, Razia (12) answers quickly, when asked about what she wants from the world leaders who are meeting to discuss the future of her country.
The twelve year old girl was born in Iran, but her family is originally from Bamyan province. They have now returned to Afghanistan, and settled in Herat.
”War brings terror. Some children are scared by the fighting,” she explains.
”The insecurity has to decrease. Also some fathers say boys have to go to school, girls have to stay at home. It’s not correct. Girls also have the right to an education. They should study”.
Good education is key to a better future
”Afghanistan now has a very difficult situation. Please do not leave the people of Afghanistan alone until we can pass from this bad situation,” says Hossein Ibrahimi.
He is the principal of Gebreal boys high school in Herat, a school receiving a lot of internally displaced Afghans and refugees returning from Iran. To be able to enrol all the children, the school is running three shifts a day.
”When I talk with people here, they want support so that we can build more classrooms. Many children at the school have to study in simple tents and it makes it hard for the children to concentrate. I think that if we give the children a good education, we will be able to build a better future,” Ibrahim explains.
”My last message is for countries housing Afghan refugees: Please do not send them back, because the situation in Afghanistan is not good. We do not have the capacity to receive them”.
All we had is left behind
”In whatever way they can assist, they should do it,” says Parmina.
At an age of 25 she has lost her husband in the conflict in Helmand. Now she is left alone to care for their six month old baby. Together with some relatives, they fled to Herat, to seek safety there.
”We have taken shelter in someone else’s property now. The room doesn’t have any windows and it’s very cold during the nights. It’s so difficult to sleep here. We have nothing here. All we had was left behind,” she says.
She wishes someone could provide them with a place to stay.
What else can we ask for apart from food
”At this moment, we are hungry and thirsty. What else can we ask for apart from food,” answers Hazar Gul (50).
Her family fled from fighting in Badghis and they are now living in Shaidaee settlement in Herat.
”My children are small and my husband is paralyzed. I am going out in the city and begging for people to feed my children,” she says.
