This August marked the one-year anniversary of the Afghan government collapse, and the beginning of emergency response efforts to evacuate and resettle more than 120,000 Afghan citizens. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) sprang into action, both in the U.S. and internationally, to support the response efforts in Afghanistan, across U.S. military bases, and at resettlement sites like Salt Lake City.  Since the initial response, the families and individuals that resettled to Utah have begun to transition into their lives here, facing challenges and overcoming barriers as they work to rebuild their lives in the Beehive State. Mohammad, a father of seven who fled Afghanistan last year, is one of our newest neighbors who now calls Utah “home.” 

Mohammad, his wife, and their seven children, fled to France immediately after the former Afghan government fell in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. For three months they stayed there, watching and grieving over their country’s rapid evolution through the media and news sources. Mohammad was finally able to use his visa to secure travel for himself and five of his children to the U.S. to seek safety; however, his family made the impossible decision to separate, leaving his wife and two youngest children in France for what they hoped would be a short time. 

After living through this kind of conflict once in the early 90’s, during the civil war in Afghanistan, Mohammad knew the danger that would come for the people he loved if they should stay in Afghanistan. He worked for the United States army for 13 years and has two daughters with college degrees: the eldest is a doctor, and the second eldest an architect. Neither of them would have been able to utilize their degrees if their family were to stay in Afghanistan. Women there are no longer allowed to go to school or work with new rules for society implemented in the past year. 

The situation in Afghanistan has forced many families to separate, with all awaiting the day they will reunify with family now living thousands of miles apart. “Your lifeline is your family. Your happiness is your family. Your support and responsibility is your family,” said Mohammad in reflection of what family means to him. It has now been over six months since he has seen his wife and two young ones, and since his decision to take the rest of his family with him to Utah.  

“When I came with my family, there was so much tension about life. We are faced with different culture and language,” Mohammad said. “I have faced challenges but many have come to my family’s aid.” Upon arrival, the IRC was able to support Mohammad’s family and got him moved into permanent housing right away! His caseworker was able to work with him to support basic integration efforts, including providing public transportation orientations, connections with services, and answering questions that Mohammad had. Through the IRC’s health team, his family in Utah was able to get up to date on their vaccinations and ensure all members were accessing needed healthcare. Mohammad’s younger kids were enrolled in school, and his two eldest daughters were able to find work in their fields. Mohammad also was able to get his driver's license and is now working on finding a job after a recent employment transition.  

Over the past year, the IRC in Salt Lake City has been able to welcome and support over 615 individuals that arrived from Afghanistan. This work would not have been possible without the help of welcoming neighbors that contribute to refugee resettlement efforts. Mohammad reflected, “I want to thank my neighbors in [my neighborhood] who helped us so much. From the beginning, they would answer any of my questions and show me how to do certain tasks. They helped my kids with their homework, and brought clothes and household items for us. For this I am grateful.”  

Hope is what keeps Mohammad’s family moving forward each day. They continue to work, learn, and prepare for the day his wife and two youngest children can join them in Utah!  

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