When the U.S. military left Afghanistan and the country fell to the Taliban in August, tens of thousands of Afghans were airlifted out with plans to be resettled in the U.S.
About 1300 of those evacuees are arriving in Michigan. Afghan journalist Jawad Sukhanyar, his wife, and their four children are among them. After a harrowing escape from their home country, the family is now in Ann Arbor.
Sukhanyar, a former New York Times reporter, shared his story during a Michigan Radio Issues & Ale event on November 17.
Another day begins in Kabul, a sea of people rushing into the Kabul airport terminal. #AFG pic.twitter.com/UekpGJ2MWd
— Jawad Sukhanyar (@JawadSukhanyar) August 16, 2021
The discussion was moderated Michigan Radio Morning Edition host Doug Tribou. The panel also featured:
Stephanie Nawyn, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University. Much of Nawyn's work focuses on refugee resettlement.
Mihaela Mitrofan, the director for the Southeast Michigan refugee resettlement program at Samaritas, one of the non-profit organizations helping the Afghan evacuees.
More information and ways to help
During the Michigan Radio virtual event, many viewers asked how they could help. The state of Michigan has launched a website that lists ways to donate, volunteer, or offer other assistance to Afghan arrivals.
You can hear the audio-only version of Sukhanyar's story as it aired on Morning Edition, below.
