The Left Behind Afghans

 Executive summary

This was the first report in AWA's series, published six months after the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan.

This report established the baseline data showing that 96% of SIV applicants (78,000 out of 81,000) were left behind, and documented the severe security threats, economic devastation, and survival crisis they faced in the immediate aftermath of the Taliban takeover. The statistics are stark: 30% imprisoned, 52% questioned by Taliban, 70% going without food, and 77% witnessing violence against those who served the U.S. mission.

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Critical Findings

Scope of Crisis

  • 78,000 SIV applicants remain left behind out of an estimated 81,000 with pending visa applications as of August 15, 2021 (the day Kabul fell)

  • 96% of SIV applicants were left behind despite U.S. evacuation efforts

  • 82,000 Afghan allies evacuated by the United States - commendable but leaves vast majority behind

  • AWA tracked over 11,000 principal applicants and their family members (total population of 76,000 people - estimated 94% of all applicants prior to August 2021)

  • AWA holds the most comprehensive data set on SIV-eligible individuals left behind in Afghanistan

Survey Data - Six Months After Evacuation

  • 3,988 survey responses collected between February 14-19, 2022

  • 10,803 dependents information tied to primary applicants

  • 90.5% located within Afghanistan - majority in Kabul (73.3%)

  • Significant shift: Prior surveys showed 50/50 split between Kabul and provinces; now heavily concentrated in Kabul, likely due to:

    • Applicants fleeing countryside to Kabul

    • Lost communication with applicants outside major population centers

Typical Applicant Profile

  • Average age: 34 years old (male), 23 years old (spouse)

  • 1-2 children on average

  • Average child age: 8 years old

  • 25.6% reported having no dependents

SIV Applicants Outside Afghanistan

Of those who escaped:

  • 45% in Pakistan

  • Remainder scattered in other countries

  • Still face processing challenges and uncertainty

Visa Application Status Breakdown

  • 48% still waiting for Chief of Mission (COM) Approval

  • 30% waiting for interview

  • 9% waiting for other administrative hurdles

  • Only 13 people have printed visa in hand

Bureaucratic Time Bombs

  • Medical exams expire after 6 months - many visas now invalid despite being issued

  • Expired medical exams cause visas to return to "REFUSED" status

  • Over 6 months have passed since evacuation - systematic expiration of documents

  • Bureaucratic obstacles remain greatest obstacle to exfiltration that U.S. can control

Security Crisis - Six Months After Evacuation

Taliban Persecution:

  • 30% imprisoned by the Taliban at some point

  • 52% stopped and questioned by Taliban

  • 77% witnessed physical violence against others for their service to the United States

  • 84% skipped medical care due to fear of leaving home and Taliban reprisals

Economic Devastation:

  • 88% lost their jobs

  • 94% facing economic hardship

  • Nearly all faced diminished economic opportunity

Survival Crisis:

  • Over 70% went without food at least once in the last month

  • Nearly 20% went without meals 10+ times in the last month

  • 77% went without heat in the last month

  • 84% went without medical care due to fear of Taliban reprisals

Fear and Desperation

  • Universal desperation conveyed across thousands surveyed

  • Applicants are dismayed and exasperated that U.S. failed to evacuate vast majority of SIV-eligible allies

  • Living in constant fear, frequently changing locations

  • Families separated, children traumatized

  • Economic resources depleted

Context and Background

AWA's Role

  • Preeminent advocate for SIV-eligible individuals since 2019

  • Serves 17,000+ SIV principal applicants

  • Provides interactive, real-time support and education to navigate SIV complexities

  • Works directly with U.S. Department of State, Consular services, National Visa Center, and resettlement organizations

Pre-Evacuation Advocacy

  • April 2021: AWA authored white paper warning of crisis

  • Paper outlined urgent need for early, coordinated, safe evacuation of 81,000 SIV applicants and family members

  • Led to formation of Evacuate Our Allies (EOA) coalition in May 2021

  • AWA watched with "looming dread" as Taliban swiftly regained territory Summer 2021

Communication Methods

  • Utilized Facebook Groups to track applicants during crisis

  • Continued data collection after evacuation

  • Most comprehensive tracking of left-behind population

Key Conclusions

Systematic Abandonment: Despite warnings and advocacy, 96% of SIV applicants were left behind when the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan on August 31, 2021.

Deteriorating Conditions: Six months after evacuation, conditions have not improved. Violence, economic hardship, starvation, and Taliban persecution are the daily reality for left-behind allies.

Bureaucratic Barriers: While Taliban controls physical access to planes, the United States controls the paperwork requirements. Expiring medical exams and other administrative obstacles compound the crisis.

Time Running Out: With 30% imprisoned, over 70% going without food, and 77% witnessing violence, the window for action is rapidly closing.

Moral Imperative: These individuals served alongside U.S. forces knowing the deadly risks. As one respondent stated: "We did what we could for you and U.S government. Now it is you, who decides on us."