siv

Our topic this week is the HIV virus and what science has uncovered about how and when it crossed over and mutated from the SIV virus that infects African primate populations.  We also discuss when the virus is most likely to have first shown up in North America (hint: probably earlier than you think) resulting in the American AIDS epidemic.

Eine Woche, nachdem die Taliban die Kontrolle über Afghanistan übernommen haben, herrscht rund um den Flughafen von Kabul noch immer Chaos, die G7-Staaten beraten die Lage und die Afghanen verlieren die Hoffnung. Noch halten NATO-Truppen das Fenster zur Flucht über die Luftbrücke offen, aber wie lange noch? Das Abzugsdatum 31.08. rückt immer näher. In dieser Woche schauen wir uns an, wie sich die dramatische Lage in Afghanistan entwickelt und zuspitzt, wie Jiffer ihren Afghanistan-Freundeskreis mobilisiert, um afghanische Kollegen und Freunde zu unterstützen und was wir von vor Ort hören. Während Biden sein Vorgehen verteidigt, zeigen andere Länder mit dem Finger – auf die USA und nach innen.

 Wir beschäftigen uns angesichts der Rückkehr der Taliban an die Macht auch mit der Frage: „Wozu war das alles, war es das wert?“ – eine Frage, die besonders diejenigen quält, die dort waren oder geliebte Menschen hatten, die dort gekämpft haben oder sogar gestorben sind. Jiffer und ihre ehemaligen Kollegen fragen sich: waren wir Teil des Problems oder Teil der Lösung?

Credits:
Theme Music:  Reha Omayer, Hamburg

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This week's episode is a call to action, as we tell the story of Muhammad Kamran. I hope that you will listen and join us to help save him and his family.

Muhammad was an interpreter in Afghanistan for U.S. troops and the War on Terror for over ten years, but, now, he's been in hiding for six years in Pakistan after he and his family fled Afghanistan for their lives. They are still trying to find safe passage to America. Yet, the U.S. has denied his case repeatedly, with no reasons given publicly. 

After the U.S. troops began pulling out of Afghanistan, interpreters became targets for the Taliban. More than 17,000 Afghan interpreters were left behind to face torture and death and, in 2009, the U.S. government passed an act to supposedly help with this issue. 

"In 2009, Congress passed the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009. The Act provided special immigrant visas (SIVs) to Afghans who had worked for at least one year as translators or interpreters, or who were employed by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Afghanistan, and whose lives were threatened because of their work in support of the U.S. mission. The visas allow these wartime allies to resettle in the United States."

(https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/resource/afghan-special-immigrant-visa-program)

Yet, under the Trump administration, the number of SIVs issued has significantly been reduced. Right now, they deny 90% of Iraqi and Afghani U.S. military interpreters who apply as refugees. This tragedy is an everyday reality for so many interpreters living in fear. 

Thankfully, Muhammad has had an advocate in Kristy Perano and her family, who have tirelessly have spent the last several years campaigning and petitioning on his behalf to the government. Currently, Muhammad is still waiting but also pursuing immigration through Canada. 

Let's help get the Kamran family to safety.

For that to happen, WE NEED YOU!

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Here is how you can get involved and help:

1) Listen to Muhammad's story and share it on social media. We need to continue to get this message out. 

2) Give to Muhammad's GoFundMe Campaign to help his family immigrate to Canada. He needs to raise $30,000. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/rescue-afghan-interpreter-and-family-from-taliban

3) Join his prayer team for updates and prayer requests. To be added to the list, please email save.aysha@gmail.com.

4) Helping SIV refugees through Keeping our Promise

https://www.keepingourpromise.org/

Help new refugees in your community through organizations like World Relief and We Welcome Refugees.

https://worldrelief.org/

https://www.wewelcomerefugees.com/