Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the Babrakzai family—Raees Khan, his wife Fahima, and their five children—fled to Pakistan before eventually resettling in Austin in 2023. Their journey was highlighted by the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for Caring program, which documented their resilience in the face of several hardships:
Raees Khan Babrakzai worked as a building inspector for U.S.-backed projects for the Afghan police, making it unsafe for the family to remain after the Taliban takeover. BABRAKZAI
A representative for the nomadic Kuchi people in Baghlan province, known for advocating for land rights and education for nomadic communities. Following the U
Two of the children have faced significant medical trials; one son, Habibullah, underwent multiple heart surgeries, while a daughter, Madina, survived severe burns from a hot tea accident that required months of specialized treatment in San Antonio. A representative for the nomadic Kuchi people in
