Rome: In a renewed act of solidarity and compassion, 119 Afghan refugees touched down in Rome on 10 July, arriving from Islamabad as part of the ongoing Humanitarian Corridors project, which aims to offer safe and legal entry routes for those fleeing conflict.
The special flight, made possible by the organization “Solidaire,” is one more chapter in the story of humanitarian relief orchestrated by the Community of Sant’Egidio, in collaboration with the Italian government and civil society partners. These families and individuals displaced since the fall of Kabul in August 2021 have endured nearly four years in precarious conditions in Pakistan, surviving in makeshift camps and informal urban settlements.
Now in Rome, they are being welcomed with long-term support to help rebuild their lives in safety. Sant’Egidio and its partner associations are taking the lead in helping the group transition into Italian society, providing housing, education, healthcare, and cultural orientation.
Since the collapse of the Afghan government, thousands of refugees have remained stranded in neighboring countries, with little international attention. These 119 individuals are among the lucky few to be offered a new beginning under this initiative.
Launched to provide a lifeline for those escaping war and persecution, the Humanitarian Corridors project has so far brought over 8,500 refugees safely into Europe. What sets the program apart is that it is fully self-financed by faith-based and civil organizations proving that humanity, not bureaucracy, can lead the way in refugee response.
Through their arrival in Italy, these Afghans have found more than just physical safety they’ve found renewed dignity and the promise of a future beyond exile.