Afghanistan: What it means for Scotland

Forth 1 has been speaking to refugees, people in Kabul and charities across Scotland about the current situation in Afghanistan.

People waiting to cross the border in Afghanistan along with interviewees.
Author: Linsey HannaPublished 30th Aug 2021
Last updated 30th Aug 2021

We're bringing you a special news bulletin telling the stories of Afghans who've made it to Scotland, and of those who've been left behind.

It comes as the foreign secretary's meeting with his international counterparts this afternoon to discuss how to deal with the Taliban.

Dominic Raab's expected to stress the need for the group to stand by their commitment to allow people to flee the regime in Afghanistan.

We're hearing the stories of others across the country who have fled the country over the years, and those who still have family over there.

One man, who lives in Govan, had to leave his pregnant wife behind when he left Afghanistan last year.

Speaking to Forth 1, he said: "It was not easy for anyone to leave family and leave your homeland where you have a lot of memories.

"There is no option for you - there was no time for these things.

"They were trying to target me, to kill me - everyone was worried about me."

His daughter is now one-years old, and he has only ever met her over video calls.

Talking about how difficult it's been, he said: "There are no words.

"You know the relation between a daughter and father is something else.

"When I came here and she was born, believe me, I cried many times. But there was no option for me."

Ahmad Khalid Mohammadi is an 18-year old living in Glasgow - he fled the country four years ago with his family, but his Grandma is still in Afghanistan.

He said: "I personally spoke to my Grandma, she told me she doesn't feel comfortable because she's living in Kabul.

"She told me people are scared to go out because they could be punished, so everyone stays at home."

One couple in Aberdeenshire have been talking to us after leaving Afghanistan last year - as they continue to worry for all their family still over there.

They said: "We are now in a situation where there is a leadership vaccum.

"How can we trust the Taliban?

"I don't see any difference between Taliban and ISIS.

"I'm panicking, it's like history repeats itself."

The last planes destined for the UK have now left Afghanistan - but the UK, France and Germany want to create a so-called "safe zone" in Kabul to let more people evacuate.

Selina Hales, founder and director of Refuweegee, says we should prepare to help as many families as we can.

She told Forth 1: "We've seen that slight increase - the expectation is that we're going to see that massively increase over the next wee while, and that's what we want.

"We know that Scotland's got this - we know we have capacity to welcome, settle and support individuals and we know and have seen how much they contribute and add value to this amazing country that we live in.

"Do not sit back - don't switch off as difficult as that news is to engage with, engage with it.

"Look at our social media, look at the Scottish Refugee Council's, look at all of the organisations within communities working with people."

The news bulletin will be aired at 5pm on Monday 30th August.

Hear all the latest news from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk on Forth 1. Listen on FM, via the Rayo app, on DAB or on your smart speaker.