How My Friend Escaped Afghanistan (to Australia)

My heart aches with Afghanistan. It's one of my favorite countries in the world and I'm devastated by what's been happening. Many of you have been asking about Noor -- my beloved Afghan friend and tour guide. I spent every moment of 4 weeks traveling around Afghanistan with him by my side -- he's one of the most sincere and down-to-earth people I've ever met, who has a passion for sharing the beauty of his country.

I've stayed silent to protect Noor's safety, but now I'm so happy to break the news that he and his family have arrived safely in Melbourne, Australia! They managed to get on one of the final evacuation military airplanes out of Kabul. I was able to catch up with Noor via zoom yesterday, and he shared the harrowing details of escaping Kabul at the last second. Here is our full conversation.

ORGANIZATIONS TO DONATE TO:

If you'd like to donate to help those in Afghanistan, please see the following 2 links. If you aren't able to donate, don't worry because just by watching this video you are helping -- all proceeds will be sent to both fundraisers.

This was started by my friend Matt with an attempt to get all Afghan tour guides, fixers and drivers to safety (Noor's colleagues). All funds will support transportation, resettlement, and general humanitarian needs for those displaced or trying to leave the country.

This was started by my friend and fellow traveler Omid. It's urgent aid for Afghan women refugees. They have partnered with "Women For Afghan Women" to identify refugees who have recently landed in the US. All donations go directly to these women and families. They provide cash grants starting at $300 per person to help with their transition.

Thank you for watching, and I'll see you on Sunday with the next episode from Mauritania.

#Afghanistan #Refugee #Kabul

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👨🏻‍🦰 WHO AM I?
I'm Drew Binsky and I am going to all 197 countries in the world. I make travel videos about people, culture and anything else I find interesting on the road. My ultimate goal is to inspire you to travel far and wide, because traveling is the best education that you can get and our planet is beautiful!

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► Text: [phone]

[drewbinsky]

Thanks for watching this video guys. Just to reiterate, all proceeds of this video will be donated to the fundraisers mentioned in the description above - so you are helping by just watching. If you'd like to donate additional funds, it would be greatly appreciated by those Afghans in need. Thank you again

[EagleEyedSheLion]

I got this notification and immediately felt relief, I know so many people are suffering but I remembered Noor and have been thinking about him. Thank you for updating

[English_with_Arezo]

Iam an Afghan girl currently living in Afghanistan 🇦🇫
t's the first time I saw this video by chance
When Noor was talking i remembered all that terrible events and moments and i will never forget that horrible days.

[aqeelshahul]

Every subscriber of yours were wishing him safety, this was such a relief, I'm speaking on behalf of thousands. Noor deserves the best.

[SarahTLawrence]

Could you please ask Noor to create a youtube channel of his own and if he feels comfortable, document his family's new life in Australia, we would love to see it. I feel like he will fit in really well and be quite famous in Melbourne.

[lavidawithjoey]

I reached out to Noor when the Taliban took over and received a voice note back from him. I checked in on him a couple days later. I never heard back. This video brings such a sigh of relief!

[Lemonminer]

Damn, I didn't even realize I watched a 50-minute video till it ended. Noor is a great storyteller, glad he's safe now.

[mattpodjeski]

Listening to Noor’s stories is like watching this play out like a movie. Happy he and his family are okay

[patriciaaeria]

I’m so happy for you Noor. I’m a Melbournian and would be happy to help in any way. I have another friend who also escaped from Afghanistan and I so understand your and your family’s difficulties and pain.

[brendandbrass]

This guy is going to be in TED talk soon. So much courage to start from scratch in a new country. I wish you and your family the best.

[DashCamSriLanka]

I'm so happy that Noor and his family made it out of Afghanistan safely to Melbourne Australia. Melbourne is a great city with welcoming people. I live in Melbourne as well, and I hope I'll get to meet you one day.

[wexfordbuccos_]

I’m so happy Noor is safe. Praying everyday for the people of Afghanistan

[iyaakasha]

This is a very important piece of history, in this video. Thank you to both of you, Noor and Drew, for allowing this story to be heard, for giving the story of the political turnover in Afghanistan a human face and heart. This story made me cry, for those people suffering and also for joy when Noor's family made it out. Blessings to all who also lived through it.

[rfw]

When Afghanistan fell to the taliban, I wondered and hoped Noor would be OK. I am delighted to hear that he and his family escaped to a new life in Australia. Afghanistan's loss, but Australia's gain. I wish him and his family well in their new life.

[arosete]

I was in tears listening to how he got to the airport. That is resilience! May God bless Noor and his family as they start their new life. 🙏🏾

[frankchanny]

Thanks Drew and Sharon for helping Norr to get a VISA to Australia. As an Australian, I would like to say Australia is your home now!

[gabbysullivan-bull]

As an Australian, I'm so happy the Australian government helped the Afghan refugees. I hope you enjoy Australia.

[secondbest]

Noor should write a book “Escaping Home”…having been a guide for many people from all over the world he has a unique perspective of Afghanistan and what it means to its citizens and those that had the opportunity to visit.

[elinat]

Drew, as an Afghan American I wanted to thank you for using your platform to talk about Afghanistan, give us an update on Noor, and show your love for the Afghan people. You are such a kind hearted soul and I’m so grateful for you and your subscribers who care about Afghanistan. Watching everything happen the past few weeks has been heart wrenching and your love for Afghanistan has been very appreciated. I’m so glad Noor is ok, what a journey he had. I had a crazy journey myself when I left as a kid with my family during the Soviet invasion. It’s like re-opening a wound. Noor’s story is amazing and I’m thankful for you and all who helped him. What I hope is the Resistance wins, the Taliban are overthrown, and one day Noor and his family can return to Afghanistan where he can continue to show the beauty to visitors and build that school he wanted to build. Inshallah 🇦🇫 Free Afghanistan

[akilankanagaraj]

I've never felt genuinely happy for a stranger whom I have not seen . It feels like a personal victory