Deadly Consequences Of Strict Visa Rules

Last week I spoke with two trusted colleagues. It felt like I was talking to the same person in time-lapse mode. One of them was in Kabul, Afghanistan and the other was in Yangon, Myanmar.

- Amantha Perera

My friend in Myanmar was foreshadowing what was likely to happen in Afghanistan. Both countries have gone through tremendous upheavals this year. One may be hard-pressed than the other. But the feeling of betrayal is unequivocal.

My friend in Kabul was talking about the sharks in the humanitarian pool. “There are organisations that left Kabul without even issuing letters to their staff that now appear on online meetings on extractions and evacuations from here. I can’t figure out how they are not asked about who is responsible for their staff left behind.” I have encountered passing shades of these sharks in some groups I happen to be a member of.

It will not be easy to get those who have been stranded in Afghanistan. A source within an international rights body told me that some of those who could not get out before the Americans left were those who were from areas outside Kabul. They lacked the networks and the communications skills to get on the lists. Like regional journalists from areas like Herat. My sources spoke to me about how international organisations miscalculated the Taliban drive to Kabul and the strength of the