Trapped in Afghanistan, Rescued by Volunteers: How a Handful of Americans Freed 5,000 Afghans – WSJ

Brian Kinsella, a former Army captain who worked in relief operations after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, was in charge of condensing hundreds of pleas and referrals into lists topped by U.S. citizens, green cardholders and high-risk Afghans. His phone filled with photos of families and passports and Google maps showing where people were hiding.

On Friday, Mr. Kinsella talked to an American citizen who was booked on a plane with her 11-year-old, but she decided not to go without other family members who didn t have U.S. paperwork. During one call with the woman this week, Mr. Kinsella could hear gunfire.

We re trying to help, he said. We can t in some cases.

With the last routes out of Afghanistan closing, the volunteers are looking at land routes and possible airlifts from smaller cities, as well as countries willing to host those Afghans who have already escaped. One group is working on the plan to set up and manage a shelter for the Afghans in Somaliland.

We re not giving up, said Emily King, a former Pentagon adviser who has been using her Albanian contacts to secure a haven. We ll keep pivoting to find a way.

At 3 a.m. Sunday, the last of the group left the Peacock Lounge for good and moved their work elsewhere.

via www.wsj.com