Forbes '30 Under 30' honoree's charity accused of mistreating refugees, sued for fraud
Late last year, a former Afghan refugee who has been widely celebrated for his humanitarian work evacuating Afghans and Americans from Afghanistan after the United States' withdrawal, landed a coveted spot on the Forbes "30 Under 30" list -- branding him as one of the country's so-called "brightest young leaders."
Safi Rauf, 28, and his nonprofit organization, Human First Coalition, emerged as one of the most notable humanitarian groups from the chaotic period that followed the United States' pullout from Afghanistan and the takeover by the Taliban in August, 2021. Months into his work, Rauf himself was captured by the Taliban while on the ground in the country and held captive for a harrowing 105 days, and his efforts eventually propelled him into the national spotlight, landing him television interviews, a TED Talk, and backing for his organization from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's foundation.
"I am so incredibly humbled and grateful to be named one of the Forbes 30 under 30 Social Impact," Rauf wrote on social media in November in response to the news. "I share this recognition with my team in the U.S, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This is to honor all that they have achieved."
But now, an ABC News investigation has learned of numerous allegations against Rauf and his organization -- none of which have previously been reported. A U.S. government-backed institution has sued Rauf and Human First Coalition, alleging the organization failed to evacuate its employees after it was paid over a half a million dollars for that rescue, and one former volunteer has said she raised questions about how funding to the organization was being spent. The group is also facing accusations that it mistreated some of the refugees it promised to help.
"Safi left us behind," said one refugee, who asked ABC News not to use her name. "He left us in darkness."
The refugee, who said that Human First Coalition had assured her of evacuation to a country away from the region after they evacuated her and others from Afghanistan, told ABC News she was instead left stranded for months in a Pakistani safe house where drinking water was cut off and there were no medical services. One attorney who formerly worked with the organization also told ABC News that in a separate instance, refugees were suddenly forced out of a Human First Coalition safe house in Kabul in the middle of the night with their belongings in trash bags.
"There's a lot of damage that's been done, and nobody knows the truth," the former volunteer, Sarah Teske, told ABC News.