Five Years After Kabul Airport Attack: A Survivor’s Plea for Help

Five years after the suicide attack at Kabul Airport, a survivor reflects on the struggles of her life and her children in Pakistan, calling for assistance from international organizations.

Life for the Family of a Victim of the Kabul Airport Attack Five Years Later

A woman who lost her husband in the suicide bombing on August 26, 2021, at Kabul Airport describes the drastic changes in her life and that of her four children since that fateful day. Speaking to Radio Free Europe, she requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of her situation. Her husband worked in a transactional advisory office, and following the collapse of the republican government, the family decided to leave the country.

Recalling the day of the attack, she shared that they went to the airport, hopeful to escape Afghanistan. “He was hit by a single bullet, and as I tried to stop the bleeding with my shawl, I saw a large wound on his left shoulder,” she recounted. Her husband was injured in the attack and later succumbed to his wounds.

The Challenges of Life in Pakistan

After losing her husband, this woman and her children moved to Pakistan, but over the past five years, they have received no assistance from international organizations. She expresses concern for her children’s future, as they remain out of school and struggle to survive: “Unfortunately, no organization has helped me. We live in Pakistan, and the situation is extremely difficult.”

She emphasized the plight of her children, saying, “My eldest is now 17, and the rest have not attended school either. Life has become incredibly challenging for me.” Economic hardships and the absence of a stable income have turned their existence into a constant struggle.

Consequences of the Suicide Attack and Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The suicide bombing at Kabul Airport occurred during chaotic days as U.S. forces were withdrawing and evacuating Afghan allies, resulting in the deaths of at least 170 Afghans and 13 American service members. Prosecutors in the United States have stated that the trial of those responsible for the attack is still underway.

This woman appeals to countries and international organizations to assist her family in escaping their dire circumstances: “Please save me and my children from Pakistan. We are facing extremely tough conditions.”