Help Esmat rescue his mother from Afghanistan

We are fundraising to help our friend Esmat Noori bring his mother from Afghanistan to Australia. Esmat's mother, Jawaher Rezayee, as a member of the persecuted Hazara minority, is at threat of her life under the rule of the Taliban. Esmat has been living in the Blue Mountains and is well known to our community as a fine young man who has already demonstrated his determination to build a life here as well as contribute to the community. Esmat is hugely fearful for his mother's safety. She has just made a dangerous and risky escape from Kabul across the border to Pakistan and this week will attend an interview as the next step in gaining a visa for Australia. The monetary (and emotional) costs of his mother and cousin's safe passage have been enormous so far for Esmat and he is now faced with supporting their everyday living costs while they wait for the next stage in migrating as refugees to Australia. Esmat said today, "When my mother is here, I will be so happy to have you all for tea so you can meet her and we can celebrate her safety together!". Help Esmat fulfil his dream to reunite with his mother and support Jawaher to be safe here with us!

This fundraiser is set up by myself, Jude Finch, Anna Ingham and Mary Waterford. Along with Esmat, we are all active members of the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group and are well known by the BMRSG. Encouraged by the work of the BMRSG, to date we have been assisting Esmat through advocacy around visa applications for his mother and cousin. A new phase has now been entered into for his mother with her escape from Afghanistan. It's now that Esmat needs support with access to funds.

Money raised will go from GoFundMe through the Ramelau Foundation account and then directly to Esmat's own account. The Ramelau Foundation account has been set up to support initiatives such as safe housing for young people. The funds will be used to cover people who assist with safe passage, paying for accommodation, food, communication and other necessities for Esmat's mother and cousin while they wait in Pakistan for the visa processes to be completed.

Many of you have asked how you can practically assist people from Afghanistan who face certain death from the Taliban. This is one practical way for someone that we know personally.

Thank you for donating and assisting Esmat's family to start a new safe life here in Australia!