Afghan refugees continue to pour into the DC region via Dulles

August 23, 2021

Associated Press

At least three flights full of Aghan refugees landed at Dulles International Airport over the weekend, according to the Department of Defense, and more may be coming in today.


Hundreds of refugees spent the night at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) on Friday after fleeing Kabul.


The Associated Press on Sunday reported that buses full of refugees were arriving at the Dulles Expo Center.


RELATED | LIST: How to help Afghan refugees by volunteering, donating in Virginia, DC and Maryland


"We are really happy to come here," one refugee told ABC News. He says he waited two days at the Kabul airport before getting in. Now that he's in America, he says he's taking his wife and son to California.


An Afghan refugee arrives at Dulles Airport and speaks with ABC News. (Sam Sweeney/ABC)

"The situation in Afghanistan is not good," he said, adding that he's relieved to be away from the Taliban-controlled land.


The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management set up more than 500 cots in ballrooms and community rooms.


RELATED | Afghan immigrant family collects supplies for today's refugees at their DC restaurant


As word of the refugees’ arrival spread, volunteers from the region’s Afghan community brought food, clothes, toiletries, and other supplies.


Many of the refugees are destined for Army bases, including Virginia's Fort Lee.
Speaking at the White House on Sunday, President Joe Biden said 11,000 evacuees had been airlifted out of the Afghan capital in a 36-hour period. He also said no evacuees were being flown directly to the United States without prior screening.


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