Afghan household resettled in Iowa has gone days with out meals, dad says

After his household arrived in Des Moines on Feb. 15, Rahmatgul Safi mentioned he got here to imagine that it was regular for refugees to starve.

The primary residence for the household of 14 — with a child on the way in which — was an Airbnb north of Grand Avenue in Des Moines. After they acquired there, Safi mentioned, their Lutheran Providers in Iowa case supervisor introduced them a scorching meal.

After that, he mentioned, the household went three days with out meals. Just a few of his kids knocked on their neighbors’ doorways, begging for meals and milk. 

“The youngsters have been crying. They needed meals,” Safi, 40, mentioned by an interpreter.

A volunteer from one other company, Des Moines Refugee Assist, stepped in to carry groceries to the Safi household, now in an Urbandale Airbnb. However when these have been gone, the household went one other three days with out meals.

And for weeks, he, his spouse and the 12 kids didn’t have any hygiene merchandise, together with cleaning soap and shampoo. 

“We’re struggling right here,” Safi mentioned. “I’m feeling like I’m a prisoner.”

Like many Afghans resettled in Des Moines who’ve spoken to the Des Moines Register, Safi mentioned his case supervisor hasn’t been responsive, even in emergencies. 

He has a again harm from an explosion when he was within the Afghan particular forces, serving to American troops and intelligence officers.

After arriving in Iowa, he mentioned, he started experiencing ache, and his legs and toes have been turning purple and black. He mentioned he instructed his case supervisor he thought he was dying, however his case supervisor wouldn’t take him to the hospital. 

The identical volunteer who introduced the household groceries finally took him to the hospital, the place he mentioned he was instructed he ought to have come sooner and that he wanted surgical procedure.