More Afghan evacuees will begin arriving in US next week

Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of US Northern Command, told reporters Thursday that there are about 14,000 Afghans overseas that are expected to come to the US. Right now, he mentioned, there are about 53,000 scattered across eight US military installations in America, which is nearing their total capacity of 64,000.

“I would anticipate that the flights will start here in the very near future,” stated VanHerck. “Next week we could see something” because the 21-day vaccination process would be complete.

VanHerck mentioned that there are 4,000 evacuees on the US bases who’ve completed their medical and different screening processes and have been cleared to leave and resettle in  USA. As they begin to move to their new homes, that will free up room at the bases for those being flown in from overseas.

“We’re relying on the output to ensure that we’d have enough capacity for the additional remaining Afghans coming this way,” he mentioned. An additional 2,400 Afghans already finished the screening process and have already moved on to their new homes.

Thousands of Afghans had been airlifted out of Afghanistan in a chaotic evacuation effort within the wake of the US military withdrawal and the swift takeover of the country by the Taliban.

However as Afghan refugees started arriving at bases around Europe and the Middle East, cases of measles were detected. Acting on the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Customs and Border Protection paused all flights of Afghan refugees around Sept. 10. The evacuees have been held at the bases whereas they get vaccinated and wait for 21 days so the vaccine can take effect.

Overall, VanHerck mentioned there have been 24 cases of measles, including 12 cases that are currently active. He mentioned that as of Thursday, all of the Afghans have been vaccinated for measles, and the 21-day waiting period will begin ending early next week for some, depending on when they got the vaccine.

Asked about assaults and different problems at the U.S. bases, VanHerck mentioned that two Afghans have been indicted in connection with sexual assaults at Fort McCoy, Wisc. There have been different incidents, including minor skirmishes and assaults, as well as eight reported cases of robbery and theft.

Federal authorities are still investigating the assault on a female service member by 3 to 4 men at Fort Bliss, Texas. Up to now, no one has been arrested or charged in that incident, and officials are still trying to determine the men.

VanHerck also mentioned that about 84 % of the evacuees are at least partially vaccinated for COVID-19. He mentioned this recent three-week pause in movement has given many enough time to get their second shot. And some have received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.