Minnetonka-based humanitarian relief group monitors Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
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The phone has been ringing at Minnetonka-based Shelter for Life International as staff inside Afghanistan provide updates on the Taliban’s increasing hold on the country.
The militants took just over a week to dethrone the country’s Western-backed government. The Taliban swept into Kabul on Sunday after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
"It’s been uncertain, chaotic, fearful, tearful days," said Mustafa Omar, CEO. "Change happens minute by minute, not hour by hour, or day by day."
Shelter For Life International has provided humanitarian relief to the people of Afghanistan for several decades.
In recent days, Omar’s staff shared pictures of large camps of Afghans who have left their homes across the country, moving to cities, like Kabul, as the Taliban’s reached extended.
Refugees fleeing the Taliban gather in a camp in Afghanistan.[Courtesy of Shelter for Life International]
"The Taliban has requested that humanitarian organizations facilitate the return of populations from displaced camps back to their home," Omar said.
Some of the female staffers have opted for now to stay home, in Afghanistan, as they assess the situation in the country, he added.
"I’m hopeful, that they do hold on to their promise and provide security and do not harm civilians," Omar said.
Omar said in recent days he’s been waking up at 3 a.m. in Minneapolis to catch up with staff on the ground around the globe as they try to continue to help people in Afghanistan with this new challenge.
“This is a nightmare," Omar said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.