Family of Afghan refugees reunited in Vancouver after years of separation
Abdul Bashir Hashimi is starting off 2022 with a full heart. His family is by his side and they are settling into a new life in Canada.
Four years ago, Hashimi was forced to leave his wife Nabila and four children – daughters Maryam, Zainab and Bahar, and son Mohammad Yahya – behind in Afghanistan as he searched for a better life. He arrived in Canada as a refugee, and now that he has obtained his permanent residency, his family is able to join him.
They arrived at Vancouver International Airport in early December.
"I was so happy,” said Hashimi. “I was not sure that I’d see them again alive. It was (such a) difficult time, but I'm happy now.”
“Thanks so much to Canada for giving me this situation,” he added.
People in Afghanistan face a rapidly growing humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, half of Afghanistan’s population are facing extreme levels of hunger, millions of children are out of school and the fundamental rights of women and girls are under attack.
Farmers and herders are also struggling amidst the worst drought in decades and the economy is in a free fall since the Taliban seized power. Without international aid and support, tens of thousands of children are at risk of dying from malnutrition, as basic health services have collapsed.
Canada has committed to welcome at least 40,000 refugees and vulnerable Afghans into the country. According to officials, this will be done through several programs, including a special immigration program for Afghans who assisted the Canadian government and a humanitarian program. Some 7,140 Afghans have arrived since August 2021. Earlier this week, a flight of 200 Afghan refugees landed in Vancouver.
"Please help them, help the people of Afghanistan, especially woman. It's now a suffering time for them. I am so upset," pleaded Nabila Hashimi.
Her husband said he decided to settle in Vancouver because “it has the best weather in Canada.” Due to the upheaval, his children have not been able to go to school for quite some time, but they should be able to start up again within the next month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.