Canadian military veteran David Lavery is missing in Afghanistan and may be in the custody of the Taliban government, according to the Veterans Support Network.
“The Veterans Transition Network is deeply concerned for the well-being of David Lavery, known as ‘Canada Dave’ to all he supported,” the statement read. statement From the organization.
The statement said Lavery disappeared from Kabul airport on November 11, Memorial Day.
“It appears likely that he is being held by the Afghan government. Further speculation would be unhelpful at this sensitive time.”
Even before Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Ms. Lavery has been working to provide aid to eligible Afghan immigrants. The Veterans Transition Network notes that Lavery has repeatedly traveled to Afghanistan for humanitarian work and laid flowers at the Canada Memorial in Kabul on Memorial Day.
“Dave has always entered Afghanistan using the proper documentation issued by the Afghan government, and the Afghan government is aware of Dave’s presence and his work in assisting migrants to reach Canada over the past three years. ,” the statement said.
The Veterans Transition Network said it has been in contact with Global Affairs Canada and has “confidence” that the government is working to ensure Lavery’s early return.
Brittany Fletcher, Canada’s international affairs spokeswoman, said Friday that she is “aware” of the incident involving a Canadian national in Afghanistan.
“Canadian authorities continue to closely monitor the situation and provide consular assistance. Due to privacy concerns, we are unable to release any further information,” Fletcher said in a statement.
Lavery joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1979 and was promoted to join the Counter-Terrorism Force Joint Task Force II. Afterwards, he continued to work for the United Nations.
He currently runs a private security company, Raven Rae Consultancy. Mr Lavery and his son Brandt are the “only Canadians left to help desperate Afghan families board the last flight leaving Kabul, Afghanistan” in 2021 after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban and his wife, Jun Ping. Veterans Transition Network.
One of Lavery’s newest works The interview was on CBC Radio. now or forever. He told the program that he regained his home and business from the Taliban in December 2021 and returned to Kabul to rebuild his business.
“I’ve been back and forth, but we’re trying to help and they understand that,” Lavery told host Trevor Dineen.
Lavery said he has been working in Afghanistan since 2010 and calls the country his “second home.” He is said to be in and out frequently.
“We have good relations with our neighboring countries and the new government there…We obviously have to watch and monitor what we do and how we do it. Hmm…we have to comply with their demands,” he said.
now or forever52:47Far from home: Afghan refugees find new life in Canada
Since the Taliban quickly and dramatically seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, 40,000 Afghan refugees have resettled in Canada. Today on Now or Never, five newcomers talk about the reality of starting over in a new country and what they dream of next. Afghan teenager Razia Arifi, who grew up in a family that always encouraged education, has her first chance to escape from Afghanistan. So when the Taliban returned in 2021, 16-year-old Razia boarded a plane to Canada without her parents or siblings. Today, this college student shares how she deals with the weight of expectations and why her goal is to eventually return to Afghanistan and open a girls’ school. In Afghanistan, she fearlessly fought for women’s rights and press freedom and was an award-winning journalist. But Farida Nekzad said here that she was starting from scratch and was worried about her finances, wondering how she would pay off the transport loans that most refugees bring with them. Canadian veteran Dave Lavery was there helping evacuate people from Afghanistan when the Taliban took over Kabul. But months after fleeing, he returned to reclaim his home from the Taliban and rebuild his business in the country he still calls his “second home.” For many Afghan children living in Edmonton, soccer games were their first taste of life in Canada. Join us as we take you to the games of head coach Hamid Atimadi, who is passing on his love of the game to the next generation. Ozram Mahashar, a transgender woman, was severely punished by her family for wearing makeup in Afghanistan. After escaping Taliban rule and arriving in Canada in 2022, she now dreams of becoming a makeup artist and puts her skills to work for Intimate Conversations in Ify.
