Dear caring you,
Police raids have begun. We just received word that plainclothes officers are entering homes in the Atak area of Pakistan. The mass deportation of Afghan refugees is now underway in full force.
Among those already deported is a human rights defender whose case has shaken us deeply. His video testimony has been shared publicly.
Our group of 60 Afghan women, human rights defenders, and their families are in imminent danger. These women fought for freedom. Now they are running for their lives. If we don’t act, they will be deported into the hands of their oppressors—facing imprisonment, torture, or worse.
Sign and donate now to help protect them.
📢 Petition: https://chng.it/QDpVR9BSKS
💠 Donate: https://www.foodforthought.care/emergencyfund
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💔 The Situation on the Ground
A few of our people have had to urgently relocate due to safety threats, including Maira Noori, who has thankfully reached safety—for now.
But one case in particular weighs heavily on us:
A woman in Islamabad is alone with her two daughters. Her passport and visa have expired. As previously shared, a stalker broke into her flat and assaulted her and her 9-year-old daughter.
She is now paralyzed by fear and unable to leave her home.
Despite promising leads, we have not yet found a safe shelter for her and her girls.
If you know anyone in your network in Pakistan—especially in Islamabad—who can offer a safe, trustworthy shelter, please reach out urgently.
Among the 60 women in our group, about 20 are unaccompanied. Without male guardians, they are the most vulnerable of the vulnerable.
We are relieved that a philanthropic organization from Italy has stepped forward to support a few of them financially for evacuation to Brazil. But many more still need urgent help.
🛂 Visa and Documentation Crisis
The Brazilian government is ready to fast-track humanitarian visas—but only if applicants have valid Pakistani visas, which allows them to safely move from their homes to the airport.
But many of our people are undocumented. They are afraid—and understandably so. But this is not the end of the road.
Here’s what we’re doing:
💠 We’re in active conversation with UNHCR and IOM in Pakistan, requesting an exemption for our group, so that no expired document blocks the path to safety.
💠 We’ve reached key contacts at UNHCR Pakistan and are following up daily.
💠 We are also working closely with our civil society partner Panahgah to coordinate relocations and support those in hiding.
🌎 A Global movement for protection
📍 The Brazilian government is ready to help.
📍 The sister petition with Avaaz is growing fast: https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/save_60_lives_loc_dn/
📍 We urgently need to raise up to $1.5 million to cover emergency shelter, transportation, legal support, and resettlement in Brazil:
👉 https://www.foodforthought.care/emergencyfund
🧭 What we’re asking for
To the Government of Pakistan:
🚨 Extend the deportation deadline for these women and their families
🚨 Pause deportation actions involving Afghan human rights defenders
🚨 Allow time for visa processing and relocation to safe third countries
✊🏽 This is not just political—it’s personal. It’s human.
We cannot let these women and their families disappear in silence.
They stood for human rights. It’s time we stand for them.
Please: ✅ Sign the petition: https://chng.it/QDpVR9BSKS
✅ Donate: https://www.foodforthought.care/emergencyfund
✅ Share this update widely
Together, we can still save lives.
With love and urgency,
💚 Nadja & Team
#SaveAfghanWomen #ActNow #RefugeesWelcome #HumanRights #BrazilSavesLives