With the Taliban takeover of Kabul on Aug. 15, thousands of Afghans rushed to the airport in the capital with hopes of catching planes to western countries.
In the days after seizing power, Taliban leadership assured the "peaceful transition of power" and has publicly disavowed any attempts at revenge on Afghans who worked with the government or foreign organizations.
But with the unexpected power grab and President Ashraf Ghani and top officials leaving the country, concerns became louder from several countries as well as rights organizations.
In the meantime, some offered refuge to Afghans.
Sixty-four countries signed a statement on Aug. 16, demanding a safe and orderly departure for anyone who wants to leave Afghanistan.
Among them were Canada, France, Germany and the UK.
"Those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan bear responsibility—and accountability—for the protection of human life and property, and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order,” they said in a statement.
Later, New Zealand and Australia announced they would help evacuate Afghan nationals who aided their troops who were deployed in Afghanistan, according to media reports.
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