Australian rescue mission rescues about 6 Fijian UN staff in Afghanistan while others remain to assist UN

UN security expert and Fijian Naulu Mataitini says about a dozen Fijians working for the United Nations and an unspecified number of Fijians working for private contractors have been caught up in the situation in Afghanistan as the country has been taken over by the Taliban.

Speaking to Pacific Beat, Mataitini who has previously worked in UN security in some of the most dangerous places around the world, including in Afghanistan, says six of the UN workers have been able to get on Australia's rescue missions out of Afghanistan, while others will remain to help the United Nations respond to the looming humanitarian crisis.

He says for people turning up unannounced at the airport, it is a real harrowing experience.

Mataitini says the UN will always have people on the ground who would continue with the humanitarian programs.

He adds the challenge for them is to find common ground with the new Taliban leadership, as to what exactly would be the modalities to deal with the humanitarian crisis.