Refuge from Afghanistan: Fatima's restart in Zurich Tösstal

Refuge from Afghanistan: Fatima's restart in Zurich Tösstal

Zürcher Tösstal, Schweiz - Fatima Rahimi, a young woman from Afghanistan, stands for the hope and challenges that many refugees have to deal with. The 20-year-old, who had to flee out of fear of the Taliban, applied for asylum in Switzerland over two years ago and then received the B ID card as a recognized refugee status. She has been living in a shared apartment in Zurich Tösstal since last autumn and is aiming for training as a pharmaceutical or dental assistant, even if the search for an apprenticeship has so far been unsuccessful. Despite the hurdles, she feels comfortable in everyday life, not least thanks to her language skills. The Observer reported on their impressive commitment with which she learned German and English and mastered all the challenges.

The story of Fatima stands for many Afghans who have been fleeing to Europe from their homeland for decades. Afghanistan is one of the main countries from which people flee due to conflicts and uncertainty. In Germany too, many people live with Afghan roots who were either entered themselves or were born as children of refugees. It is a diverse community that has actually developed from forced migrations of the past decades.

adventure in everyday life and financial balance

Fatima receives around 1,800 francs of social assistance per month who ensure their basic needs and basic medical care. She lives sparingly, shared rental and electricity costs with her roommate and carefully thinks about her expenses. Nevertheless, you remain a certain financial scope for small amusements like eating away a few times a month or an occasional coffee-to-go at Zurich Airport. Health costs are also supported - at least to a certain extent. However, problems with your dental position were not classified as "functional", which means that it would have to finance the expensive treatment itself. Despite the administrative hurdles, Fatima remains calm and hopeful and tries to build a new life through education and hardworking language practice.

broad support for Afghan refugees

in Germany, in turn, Afghan refugees have been an integral part of the population for many years. Afghans provide the second largest group of those seeking protection, immediately after Syrians. They are mostly young and male, but women like Fatima make up about a third of the community. The number of asylum applications has increased particularly since 2021, which further underpinned the Federal Recording Program 2022. According to the media service Integration were exhibited for many particularly protection commitments, including former local forces for German Authorities in Afghanistan. But despite different legal framework and the preservation of residence permits, integration remains a tough challenge. Both countries, Switzerland and Germany, therefore offer programs to support these groups and to facilitate the transition to everyday life.

Fatima and many other Afghans are on a remarkable way of renewal. They not only cope with everyday life, but also the challenges associated with the fresh start in a foreign country. Her goal remains her anchor: an apprenticeship and an independent life. Many still have to set the course, but hope remains unbroken - both in Zurich and in Berlin.