Afghans in hiding because of service to New Zealand deserve hope, says former soldier – Stuff.co.nz

Over Christmas, while hundreds of Afghans with visas to New Zealand were in hiding targeted because of their work with the New Zealand Defence Force a deposed politician and his 13 family members entered managed isolation.

The families in hiding are awaiting extraction, but several remain in the dark about their future because of an arbitrary deadline, says Ellen Nelson, a former Defence Force engineering officer.

These people literally put their lives on the line for us every day, she said.

For almost five months from her Manawat home, since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, she has spent up to 14 hours a day advocating for them to be granted visas and find safe passage to New Zealand.

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Ellen Nelson says New Zealand owes it to those who are at risk because of their service to New Zealanders.

Afghan locals had been hired as tradespeople, including interpreters and security guards, for New Zealand military. They and their families became targets when the Taliban took over. New Zealand responded by offering a special visa, the applications for which were open for nine days.

Nelsons team was in touch with around 10 workers and their families who missed out.

The only reason they don't have a visa is they fled their homes and went to the mountains... they had no reception, and didnt know about the visas until they were back in reception.

One former security guard had already been killed by the Taliban, believed to be due to his work with New Zealand, she said.

Sam Tarling/Getty Images

Afghan refugees in Paris on December 17, waiting to be transferred from tents to lodgings.

She said, although it wasn't a matter of choosing between rescuing some people over others, former Vice-President Sarwar Danishs getting a visa highlighted how the fate of so many lives were in the hands of politicians.

This is a plea to Immigration New Zealand, a plea to the Prime Minister, even... let go of that arbitrary cut off date and give them some hope.

Before visa applications closed in August, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned not all visa holders would be extracted immediately.

The Government needed a plan B, which Nelson and colleagues with security and military backgrounds formulated in October, but it was not taken on.

Byron Smith/Getty Images

Afghan refugees arriving in Thessaloniki, Greece, on November 22.

For safety reasons, Nelson could not give details on what was happening now, just that there had been some progress for the families who did have visas, thanks to the mahi of volunteers, staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other agencies, and donations from kiwis.

My plea to the New Zealand public is to welcome these people when they do get to New Zealand, with open arms. Theyll need accommodation and job options.

Her group ran social media page Helping Afghans Who Helped Kiwis, and a Givealittle which had raised over $60,000 at the time of publishing. The money went towards extraction and resettlement efforts.

A November 24 update said the funds had helped a few families find safe passage to New Zealand.

The Minister for Immigration has been approached for comment.

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Afghans in hiding because of service to New Zealand deserve hope, says former soldier - Stuff.co.nz