Latest news with #Taliban
DW
11 minutes ago
- Politics
- DW
Podcasting for Afghan refugees in Pakistan
Deeba Jan Akbari Kakar has a business degree and loves to work. But forced displacement and traditional family values have limited her. A DW Akademie podcasting program has given her purpose and a challenge. In the years before she married, Deeba Jan Akbari Kakar worked a lot and loved her job. After earning a degree in business administration in her native Afghanistan, a private bank there hired her, and she found great satisfaction in demonstrating her organizational and managerial skills. But this wouldn't last. War and the regressive Taliban government led her, her husband and their three children to first flee to Pakistan, where they resided for about a decade before returning to Afghanistan. But threats there to their economic and personal security forced them out again, this time to Uzbekistan, where they spent five years as they applied to migrate to Germany. Those plans, however, also led nowhere, all of which leaves Kakar today, at age 35, with visible disappointment. She is today back in Pakistan, where she lives with her family among other displaced persons. Migration upheaval Worldwide, there are more than 120 million people displaced, according to the UNHCR , the United Nations Refugee Agency, which formally recognizes this population – and specifically the 43.4 million classified as refugees – on June 20, World Refugee Day. This displacement is due to conflict, persecution and violence. The UNHCR estimates that close to three million Afghan refugees are in Pakistan. And they have been particularly vulnerable since 2023, when the Pakistani government then started deporting Afghan nationals, refugees and asylum seekers under its "Foreigners' Repatriation Plan." "This was all really tough," she said, as she recounted broken promises and constant setbacks. Layered over that, too, is her regret at not being able to work in her chosen profession, partly because of the upheaval, partly because her husband's family discourages her from holding a job. Deeba Jan Akbari Kakar has found purpose in podcasting news she gathers as a community reporter in Pakistan. An Afghan refugee herself, she reports on everyday challenges such as opening a bank account, fund transfers to family in Afghanistan, and the uncertainty and stress of being in constant transition. Image: Tabish Naeemi/DW "I really love working," she said with infectious enthusiasm that sweeps away any rancor at her difficulties. Instead, Kakar's demeanor reflects acceptance and even gratitude. "In working, I learn new things about myself, what I'm capable of doing, and how I can put new skills to work – skills that I sometimes don't even know I have." Community reporters learn valuable skills With a positive attitude like that, it seemed fateful that Kakar last year would find herself participating in a program supported by DW Akademie where Pakistani media organizations train Afghan refugees like herself, aiming to both promote reliable and helpful news sharing in displaced persons camps and settlements – community reporting – and to transfer media skills like fact-checking and podcasting that could lead to paid work. Kakar now works in a school cafeteria, where she earns about 10,000 rupees per month (about $30). To send one child to school, she continued, it costs about 30,000 rupees – an impossible sum, in particular, too, since she has three children all younger than nine years of age. But while she may privately ruminate on her situation, she – and others – have found that putting her experiences to the good is a win-win. "She has strong teamwork skills, creative thinking and a deep empathy for her community," said Fakhira Najib, the Managing Director of The Communicators Limited , a DW Akademie partner in Pakistan which offers the podcast training. "She consistently brings fresh ideas to the table, especially when it comes to highlighting the issues faced by displaced communities. Her ability to connect with people and translate their experiences into powerful stories makes her an invaluable contributor." For now, learning podcasting provides an outlet for working within her circumstances, helping other refugees like herself and contributing in a possible way. The focus is on 'news you can use' for those living in marginalized communities and areas. The challenges with this are plenty: a fluid society where following up with sources and how stories evolve can prove impossible, lived trauma from fleeing war and a lack of infrastructure to produce stories via media like podcasting or broadcasting. But none of this has stopped Kakar, who, when she felt her professional options slipping away in Afghanistan, started writing down stories – with pen and paper – there, and then found she could secretly freelance for a magazine. "I started talking with women who, like me, had received an education but were not allowed to work," she explained, adding that in one instance, a woman's husband showed up unexpectedly and chased Kakar out of the house. "These women were scared, understandably, so I gave them pseudonyms. I wrote about troubled marriages, and about them not being able to send their children to were very emotional interviews. For both of us." 'In working,' says Deeba Jan Akbari Kakar, 'I learn new things about myself, what I'm capable of doing, and how I can put new skills to work – skills that I sometimes don't even know I have.' Image: Tabish Naeemi/DW The Farewell Land During the workshops, held last year in July and December and centered on podcasting tools and skills, Kakar swapped her pencil and pad for microphones, headphones and recording equipment, which she found superior to not missing any information and helpful in being able to double-check what subjects told her. She has also pursued stories that examine what refugees like her find so taxing in their lives: visa problems, opening and access to bank accounts, fund transfers to family in Afghanistan, and the day-to-day uncertainty and stress of being in constant transition. "We're all trapped in a way," she said. "I have not seen my own mother in 10 years." This is, in essence, the basis of a podcast Kakar developed during the DW Akademie training. Called "The Farewell Land," she explores refugees and their hope of one day being able to return safely to their homeland. "It's a play on words, a way of saying that this is not goodbye," she said. "This is not the end, we will rise up, and we will find a way." As part of the Displacement and Dialogue Asiaproject, podcast training and content production are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project, thanks to the cooperation with our partners, is the first to integrate Afghans into the Pakistani media landscape. DW Akademie supports partners in Pakistan to train Afghan refugees to become community reporters. Participants learn skills and are mentored in producing content for digital platforms or radio.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Shropshire's Nesscliffe army site still housing Afghan families
An army camp that was adapted as a short-term home for Afghan families, who escaped the Taliban in 2023, is still being used, it has to 200 families and individuals moved to the base at Nesscliffe in Shropshire in 2023, under the Government's Afghan resettlement was designed to help those who'd assisted the UK mission in Afghanistan and Shropshire Council said in November 2023 they were only expected to stay for six authority said there have been no arrivals since Feb 2025 and attempts to find suitable homes for six remaining families were continuing. When the families moved in, people living in the area had raised concerns about people walking on the narrow lanes around Nesscliffe and about the lack of facilities. Local residents thanked When approached again by the BBC, the council said "no end date was confirmed, only that the site was to be used temporally, as needed".After the last families leave, it will be returned to Ministry of Defence (MoD) use. The council has confirmed the camp had been funded by the government and the authority has not received any money to use the MoD said the UK had "a moral obligation to resettle Afghans eligible under the Afghan Resettlement Programme" to get them "away from the threat of the Taliban".It said Nesscliffe was "an important staging post for Afghans when they first arrive in the UK" and thanked local residents for helping the families "feel welcome, valued, and part of the community"."It is clear that the Defence Estate is not the long-term solution to housing requirements for all Afghan resettlement schemes," the MoD confirmed. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Migrant and his dog are rescued from Channel after spending three days adrift in a dinghy after its motor failed
The dog is the sixth pooch known to have entered the UK by small boat LOST AND HOUND Migrant and his dog are rescued from Channel after spending three days adrift in a dinghy after its motor failed A MIGRANT was rescued with his dog after surviving for three days in a rubber dinghy adrift in The Channel. The Afghan man, who gave his name as Barry, told rescuers he found pet Bella in a French refugee camp while fleeing the Taliban. Advertisement 2 A migrant named Barry was rescued with his dog after surviving for three days in a rubber dinghy adrift in The Channel 2 An Afghan migrant told rescuers he found pet dog Bella in a French refugee camp while fleeing the Taliban Credit: Eddie Mitchell They set sail on the dangerous 21-mile journey earlier this week but the boat's engine failed before they reached Britain. Emergency services spotted a red distress flare fired at sea around 6.30pm on Wednesday off the coast of Brighton, East Sussex. A HM Coastguard helicopter helped bring Barry and Bella to shore an hour later alongside rescue teams and RNLI lifeboats. They were met by Sussex Police officers who transferred them to Border Force. Advertisement READ MORE ON MIGRATION BOUND FOR BRITAIN Speaking French & German… migrants booted out of EU heading to Britain The dog, believed to be a Lancashire Heeler, is the sixth pooch known to have entered the UK by small boat. Others were a mixed breed, Jack Russell, pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier and chihuahua, as previously revealed by The Sun. Due to not having correct documentation, they are quarantined for up to four months to prevent spreading infectious diseases like rabies. A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'Police assisted HM Coastguard following a report of a man in a boat off the coast of Brighton on Wednesday. Advertisement 'The man and a dog were safely brought to shore and passed to Border Force officials.' A HM Coastguard spokesman added: 'HM Coastguard has responded to reports of a person in the water in waters between Brighton Marina and Pier. 'A man was located safe and well in a vessel that had reportedly experienced engine issues.'
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Migrant and his dog are rescued from Channel after spending three days adrift in a dinghy after its motor failed
A MIGRANT was rescued with his dog after surviving for three days in a rubber dinghy adrift in The Channel. The Afghan man, who gave his name as Barry, told rescuers he found pet Bella in a French refugee camp while fleeing the Taliban. Advertisement 2 A migrant named Barry was rescued with his dog after surviving for three days in a rubber dinghy adrift in The Channel 2 An Afghan migrant told rescuers he found pet dog Bella in a French refugee camp while fleeing the Taliban Credit: Eddie Mitchell They set sail on the dangerous 21-mile journey earlier this week but the boat's engine failed before they reached Britain. Emergency services spotted a red distress flare fired at sea around 6.30pm on Wednesday off the coast of Brighton, East Sussex. A HM Coastguard helicopter helped bring Barry and Bella to shore an hour later alongside rescue teams and RNLI lifeboats. They were met by Sussex Police officers who transferred them to Border Force. Advertisement READ MORE ON MIGRATION The dog, believed to be a Lancashire Heeler, is the sixth pooch known to have entered the UK by small boat. Others were a mixed breed, Jack Russell, pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier and chihuahua, as previously revealed by The Sun. Due to not having correct documentation, they are quarantined for up to four months to prevent spreading infectious diseases like rabies. A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'Police assisted HM Coastguard following a report of a man in a boat off the coast of Brighton on Wednesday. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive 'The man and a dog were safely brought to shore and passed to Border Force officials.' A HM Coastguard spokesman added: 'HM Coastguard has responded to reports of a person in the water in waters between Brighton Marina and Pier. 'A man was located safe and well in a vessel that had reportedly experienced engine issues.' Migrants dodge tear gas in sprint across beach to reach boats bound for Britain
Scoop
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
World Refugee Day: Telling Their Stories
19 June 2025 While hotspots include Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Palestine, displacement affects every region of the world. In the lead-up to World Refugee Day, Friday, the UN is spotlighting the importance of solidarity with refugees through support, solutions, and the power of storytelling. Zahra Nader: Reporting from exile Ahead of World Refugee Day, UN News spoke with Zahra Nader, a refugee, journalist and women's rights activist from Afghanistan. At age six, Nader and her family fled to Iran after the Taliban first took power, where she was denied access to education and faced racism. Returning to Afghanistan years later, the stark contrast between life in exile and the opportunity to attend school ignited her passion for journalism and advocacy. In August 2021, while she was pursuing a PhD in Canada, the Taliban regained control, shattering her dreams of returning home to teach and conduct fieldwork. ' I felt as a journalist who grew up in Kabul, who became a journalist there, I have a right and responsibility to tell these stories of women in Afghanistan,' she said. 'This is really inhuman, for half of the population of a country to be stripped of their basic human rights because they were born female.' Channeling that pain into action, she founded Zan Times, an Afghan women-led newsroom in exile documenting human rights abuses in Afghanistan, particularly those affecting women. Despite limited funding and growing risks to her reporters, Nader continues her work to ensure that Afghan women are seen and heard. She described the situation in Afghanistan as ' the most severe women's rights crisis of our time ', calling international action insufficient and warning that inaction emboldens the Taliban and its misogynistic ideologies. Despite her trauma and current inability to return, Nader remains optimistic and urges young Afghan women to resist through learning and preparing for a better future. 'I am hopeful, and I want to be also part of that change, to envision a better future for Afghanistan, and do my part to make that future happen.' Barthelemy Mwanza: From survival to leadership On Thursday, UN Video featured the story of Barthelemy Mwanza, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who is now a youth leader and advocate. At 18, Mwanza was caught between pressure to join an armed tribal group involved in nationwide conflict and his father's plea to stay out of the fight, a decision that could have cost him his life. To survive, he fled to the Tongogara refugee camp in Zimbabwe. Emotionally overwhelmed from being displaced from his home country, 'It really made me cry to say 'Where am I?'' Mwanza said. 'Later on, I was like, 'Till when will I continue to cry? Shouldn't I look at the future?'' He began volunteering with UNHCR, leading more than 5,000 young refugees through initiatives tackling gender-based violence, youth protection, and climate action. Now resettled in Ohio, United States, Mwanza continues to collaborate with UNHCR to elevate refugee voices, inspire climate action and share his story. Empowering and advocating for refugees on a global stage 'was one of my dreams, and now I can really see that it's coming to life,' he concluded.
