From Kabul to Canada: A personal plea to honour our promises
by: Jon Feltham, Executive Director
I will never forget the sound of her voice—a young Afghan girl, no older than 15, screaming in desperation to American soldiers, "The Taliban are coming for me." Her words were filled with terror and hopelessness, a cry for help in a moment of unimaginable fear. That voice, trembling with dread, represented the anguish of an entire nation on that fateful day, August 15, 2021.
As the world watched in shock, I knew this was a reckoning moment. For those who had dedicated years to the country, the scenes of chaos and despair were almost unbearable. I could not stand idly by while those who had once supported Canadian efforts were left behind.
Turning sorrow into action
I channeled my anger and sorrow into action. I began working on initiatives independently and eventually with Canadian and American non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These initiatives aimed to aid vulnerable Afghans who supported American and Canadian missions to evacuate and find refuge in safe jurisdictions. By February 2022, I joined Aman Lara, which emerged in response to the Afghan crisis.
As the Program Director, I was fully committed to helping Afghan allies find a safe path to resettlement in Canada. I was honored to join forces with Wendy Long, who now leads Aman Lara’s resettlement efforts. Her unwavering commitment to keeping the plight of these vulnerable Afghans in the public eye, alongside the Afghan-Canadian Interpreters and the Afghan Strategic Evacuation Team (ASET), has been nothing short of heroic.
Three years after the Taliban’s capture of Kabul, my resolve to help Afghans who stood by Canada in Afghanistan build new lives in safe communities continues, but the struggle is far from over. Aman Lara has evacuated over 6,800 Afghans safely, yet our work is far from over.
We still hold records of approximately 3,000 Afghans — individuals with enduring ties to Canada — who are trapped in limbo, awaiting a response from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These are not just numbers; they represent lives — families, children, and individuals — who trusted and believed in our promises to provide them with safety, dignity, and new beginnings. Their lives are hanging in the balance, and our responsibility is to keep those promises.
As I reflect on these past three years, the cry of the young Afghan girl is not a distant memory; it continues to echo today. The situation for women and girls in Afghanistan remains as dire as ever. They are denied education, barred from work, and stripped of their fundamental human rights. As a father of two daughters, I cannot accept this reality. How can we, as a global community, allow this to continue? It isn’t just about Afghanistan—it’s about the world we want to build for our children.
“I will never forget the sound of her voice—a young Afghan girl, no older than 15, screaming in desperation to American soldiers, ‘The Taliban are coming for me.’ Her words were filled with terror and hopelessness, a cry for help in a moment of unimaginable fear.”
Despite this grim reality, some social media influencers have been portraying a false sense of normalcy in Afghanistan. Let’s be clear: there is nothing normal about a country where girls cannot go to school and where a terrorist organization governs. We must reject these attempts to normalize oppression and instead focus on advocating for real change.
This fight for justice is not just about the Afghans left behind; it’s also about those who stood by their side. Our veterans, who sacrificed so much for a better future in Afghanistan, continue to grapple with the consequences of this crisis. Many feel that their sacrifices were in vain, and the unresolved plight of Afghan allies only deepens this wound.
At Aman Lara, we stand with these veterans and share their determination. They fought for a brighter future, and we must honour their sacrifices by continuing this fight—until every Afghan who stood with us is safe.
Help us support our Afghan allies
As we commemorate three years since the lives of thousands have been upended, I make a heartfelt plea to the Government of Canada: “Do not leave anyone behind.” Together, we can ensure that the pledge made to the Afghan people is honoured and that their sacrifices, and those of Canadian veterans, are never forgotten.
If you feel moved by this cause, I invite you to support Aman Lara.
Please consider donating to our partnered charity, Humanity First, or contact us to learn more about how you can help. Your support can make a world of difference.
