Asylum Seekers

Voice Over:

Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan many people including interpreters, human rights activists and journalists were evacuated.

Many had suffered past trauma and what they experienced at Kabul Airport was terrifying.

“Rafi” , Voiced of Actor:

It was absolutely horrible. There you saw the soldiers, the Afghan [government] soldiers, how they were treating people and guns firing. I saw a lot of things there which was truly sad. The small children, the babies, the women, they were under the feet of everybody and nobody cared.

Voice Over:

The relief some evacuees felt after arriving in France was short-lived as traumatic memories resurfaced. While some received psychosocial support, others continue to struggle on their own.

“Roya” , Voiced of Actor:

I have a hole in my heart about my people and my country but I can’t do anything from here. 

We feel we are safe, but we worry about our family. I talked about my emotions when we went to art therapy. They showed me some way so that I don’t stay in shock mode. I’m gonna be better.

Voice Over:

There is no health without mental health. France should expand the provision of psychosocial services to evacuees. Evacuees and those assisting them, should be informed about accessible mental health services.

Toluca, Mexico

“Elizabeth”
Asylum Seeker
We left our country because of the insecurity and harassment we faced and it’s the same here. We had to leave Venezuela because of the harassment we received from the Venezuelan Military Intelligence Service, as they constantly harassed and threatened me, my son, and my family.

Narrator
Elizabeth is one of tens of thousands of asylum seekers the US sent to Mexico while their cases are pending in US immigration courts. In Mexico, asylum seekers often face extortion and abuse by government officials.

“Elizabeth”
Asylum Seeker
When we arrived to Mexico the feds stopped us at the Mexico City airport. They asked us if we were going to the border. They demanded a bribe from us so as not to be deported.

Narrator
They are also targeted by criminal groups.

“Elizabeth”
Asylum Seeker
In Matamoros, we were very afraid of the cartels. That's why we had to move away from there. I had to walk with my son wherever he went for fear of being kidnapped or extorted by them.

Narrator
They are often not able to work or access essential services, including health care and education.

“Elizabeth”
Asylum Seeker
Currently, our life has stopped, since we are not allowed to work here. We do not have access to free health services and my son can’t study.

Narrator
US President Joe Biden has begun allowing some asylum seekers with pending cases, like Elizabeth, back into the United States—A positive step.

“Elizabeth”
Asylum Seeker
It is like a ray of hope in this long journey that we’ve been waiting for here in Mexico.

Narrator
But under the administration of former President Donald Trump, many others had their cases unfairly dismissed or were denied a chance to apply for asylum. They remain stuck in Mexico where they continue to face abuse. President Biden should ensure that they too get a fair hearing. Meanwhile, the Mexican government should protect asylum seekers in Mexico and ensure they are able to work and access health care and education.

Moria camp on Lesbos, Greece

Adib Mohammad, MCAT
Our responsibility is to inform people about coronavirus. We should take care of ourselves.

Adib Mohammad, MCAT
I am Adib Mohammad, from Afghanistan. I’m a pharmacist. I’ve lived in Moria camp for about five months. And now, I am an active member of a team to raise awareness about coronavirus in the camp. 

I believe there aren’t any health services inside the camp.

If we can’t treat coronavirus, at least we should prevent it. And we are telling people how to protect themselves from the virus.

All of our members are from inside the camp, no one is from the outside. 

Due to the very bad situation and unhygienic conditions, if we have one positive case of coronavirus here in the camp, it will lead to a big human disaster.

The government decided to lock down the camp and prevent people from going to the city.

There are many places where [the spread of] this virus can happen, like the food lines in which thousands of people stand very close to each other. That is very dangerous, and unfortunately, we don’t have enough water here to wash our hands or take showers regularly.

Greece should immediately take measures to protect people in the Greek island camps.

It should reduce overcrowding and increase access to adequate healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene products.