The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Teddy bears, clothes and messages of love: Afghan refugees receive warm welcome in some countries

August 27, 2021 at 12:19 p.m. EDT
A boy looks out a bus window as Afghan evacuees arrive at Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Aug. 26. Among those landing in the country are medical professionals and interpreters who have worked for the South Korean government, and an estimated 100 children. (Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)

For those who managed to flee Afghanistan, leaving their home country under Taliban rule is just the beginning of their challenges — they are landing in foreign countries around the world to rebuild new lives and contend with anti-migrant attitudes.

Most people seeking to flee Afghanistan have little hope of finding a quick way out of the country, let alone finding welcome abroad, as some destination countries issue warnings against asylum seekers and harden their borders.