Through the miracles of science and public support, one Afghan newborn was able to survive a violent 2020 terrorist attack that took her mother’s life. Unfortunately, circumstances following the August 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan now imperil her life once more.
Without evacuation to a third country, Fawzia, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, may not see her second birthday.
On May 12, 2020, militants launched a deliberate attack on the maternity ward run by Doctors Without Borders in a hospital in Kabul. In addition to Fawzia’s young mother, 14 other Afghan mothers, two newborns, and a midwife were among the attack’s 24 victims. Just hours after her birth, Fawzia had been shot in the leg three times. The damage was extensive. A local dentist devoted herself to finding blood donors to save Fawzia from an immediate leg amputation. After multiple surgeries and with the care of a dedicated orthopedic surgeon, Fawzia’s prognosis was positive. Not only was she expected to keep her leg, but Fawzia could possibly learn to walk.
In the past eight months, her situation has changed dramatically. That’s according to Operation 620, an evacuation organization attempting to find Fawzia a path to safety.
Fawzia’s father, Haroon, whose name has also been changed for his safety, is a former member of the Afghan National Police. Haroon has been living in hiding away from his children to avoid being discovered by the Taliban, who have conducted reprisal killings targeting numerous former Afghan government and military personnel. Haroon told Operation 620 that some of his former colleagues have disappeared after being arrested by the Taliban. The threat to Haroon and his family is increased by the publicity that surrounded Fawzia’s remarkable survival. Haroon says the Taliban threatened to kill him, or members of his family, for publicly blaming his wife’s death on the Taliban.
Due to security concerns, Haroon is unable to take Fawzia to her medical appointments. For six months, she has been without the treatments that would preserve the use of her leg. Doctors warned that Fawzia would require amputation if she were unable to regularly receive physiotherapy.
Additionally, Fawzia’s primary orthopedic surgeon is unavailable, having fled the country to preserve his own safety. The dentist who saved Fawzia’s leg and later paid for many of Fawzia’s treatments has also been evacuated from Afghanistan. She can no longer provide financial support. Fawzia’s grandparents currently have care of their grandchildren. Like many Afghans affected by crises of starvation and unemployment, they struggle to pay for essentials, much less for Fawzia’s care.
These are not Fawzia’s only concerns. In recent weeks, Fawzia began to develop sepsis in her injured leg, as well as a fever that puts her life in danger. Operation 620 reports hospitals in Afghanistan lack the capacity to provide the care Fawzia requires, or are prohibitively expensive. The organization is searching for a country that could provide a medical visa for Fawzia and a visa for Haroon to be by her side as she seeks treatment to preserve her leg, and life. One country has already denied a request to issue a medical visa.
The wide-reaching consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan have imperiled millions of Afghans. Among them is a not-quite 2-year-old girl whose future was once a symbol of hope for Afghans battling against Taliban misogyny and hate. The Biden administration should move to ease Fawzia’s suffering. Operation 620 stands ready to help get it done.
Beth Bailey (@BWBailey85) is a freelance writer from the Detroit area.
