How Services Like WhatsApp Are Facilitating Evacuation Of Afghans Under Taliban

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan after a botched withdrawal by the United States has forced many locals into hiding while others are desperately looking for ways out of the country.

The last time Taliban were in charge of Afghanistan, women had no rights, executions were arbitrary, and human rights were dismal. But strides were made in all these arenas over the last two decades.

WhatsApp, Google Docs to the rescue

Now, people are fearful of a return to the old oppressive ways. As thousands look to flee, applications like WhatsApp are being used to mobilise support and to assist in movement of vulnerable Afghans, especially women, children and journalists.

Reuters

Others are maintaining a directory on Google Forms to help connect those in need with officials who may be able to help. But locals are wary, even in the face of Taliban's new promises that there will be no "revenge".

Also read: Struggling For Food To Fear Of Death, The Life Of Afghans When Taliban Last Ruled Afghanistan

Activists believe the directory could make the Taliban's job easier of hunting down dissidents.

An Afghan who formerly lived in New Delhi, India told Indiatimes on the condition of anonymity that they don't know who to trust at this point. "We can't trust people even in our country - we don't know who supports Taliban. We have to be careful", they said.

Reuters

Who is doing the crowdsourcing work?

The crowdsourcing work is being done by journalists, officials (who are no longer required to do so), activists, and non-profit organisations.

Using digital channels like WhatsApp, Telegram, and even Twitter, groups are curating lists to help Afghans resettle... a lot faster than official government programmes.

Based on the data such groups are receiving, planes are being chartered to facilitate private airlifts. Apps are also helping people navigate safety on road and assisting those stuck far away reach Kabul, from where they may be safety moved.

Reuters

The role being played by basic internet tech could be instrumental in saving hundreds of lives, especially of journalists, women activists and Afghans who helped Americans. Their evacuation is being prioritised.

Also read: Pics Of Woman Journo In Vastly Different Attires Reflect Changes Afghanistan Going Through Post Taliban Control

A Google Form document created by organisations in Afghanistan is asking people to feed their information if they can manage to get to Kabul by the end of the week.

The form, like hundreds of others, is asking for contact information, personal documents, and passport numbers. Although such efforts may help get many people out, people still remain fearful of giving away details so easily.

According to MIT Technology Review, the US State Department is urging eligible Afghans to share documents and personal information with them on WhatsApp, which it claims is safer than email.

During such grim times in a country that has fallen to militants, such exchange of information and resources on apps could save lives of countless people.