Afghans living in New Zealand say they feel helpless as the country's government is collapsing under Taliban insurgents.
Thousands of displaced families suffer hardships in a park in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 11, 2021. Photo: AFP or licensors
The chairperson of the Afghan Association of New Zealand, Naqib Mia, said that foreign forces were in the country for 20 years before withdrawing, but Afghanistan is no better off.
"Afghans not only in New Zealand, but around the world, they are very anxious, they don't know what the future holds for them right now.
"International forces came 20 years ago, with the slogans of peace and stability, and after 20 years they left overnight, and left the country in a state worse than it was."
He hopes New Zealand supports the push for an elected government in Afghanistan.
At least 5,250 Afghanis call New Zealand home, according to the 2018 Census.
New Zealand withdrew its troops from the country earlier this year, after having personnel deployed there since 2001.
The country's collapse comes after US President Joe Biden announced plans to officially end the 20-year-war in Afghanistan and withdraw all troops by 31 August.