EXCLUSIVE: Sheffield based Afghan refugee admits his family back home are 'living in constant fear'
We've been speaking to Aman Josefi about what life back in Afghanistan is like for his loved ones since the Taliban regained power there
Last updated 12th May 2022
An Afghan refugee who's lived in Sheffield for around fifteen years insists his family are 'scared for their lives' every single day.
This week, we're taking a look at how the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has impacted the lives of people from the country here in South Yorkshire.
Aman Josefi's mother, brother and two sisters are still based in the war-torn state.
Since the Taliban regained control there around four months ago, Aman's family have relied on him financially-from his income as an interpreter-to support them:
"I have to help my family financially in Afghanistan. They will be dependent on me for many years from now on, so I have to just think about them and work to be able to help them.
"I'm here in the UK physically, but mentally I'm with them, because they call me every single day to ask for help.
"My brother was a policeman in Afghanistan but now he doesn't go out often as he fears for his own safety.
"Also, my sister was a PE teacher for girls in Afghanistan, but this curriculum was removed from the education system. She's also living in constant fear.
"Her husband lost his job as well, whilst my other sister lost her job too, so it's all on me to provide for them.
"My mother is very sick too, so I'm also having to send back money to make sure she can still get the right medication.
"Overall, there's a lot of pressure, but I have no choice but to keep working hard so I can help them as much as possible.
Aman fled Afghanistan back in 1999 when the Taliban initially took over, after his father was killed there.
He lived in Iran, Turkey, Russia, and Cuba before moving to Sheffield in 2006, and has since completed a degree in Hispanic Studies at the University of Sheffield.
Meanwhile, Sheffield City Council tell us they've agreed to rehouse 158 Afghan refugees across three different schemes during 2021.