Afghan refugee who shared picture of meager Fort Bliss food ration divides internet: Ungrateful or underfed?
An Afghan refugee who shared a photo of his meager food ration at Fort Bliss has divided the internet as some slam him as 'ungrateful' while others mocking the meal for resembling the now iconic, pathetic cheese sandwich from the disastrous Fyre Festival.
Hamed Ahmadi, 28, is now living in a tent with 70 others at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, just days after escaping from Kabul, Afghanistan, as the Taliban rips through the country.
But as more and more refugees arrive at the military base, which is already housing 4,000, resources are being stretched thin and food is in short supply.
On Thursday, Ahmadi took to Twitter to share his evening meal; two tiny slivers of chicken, a few small chunks of cantaloupe and a bit of bread. The ration would have to last him 12 hours until his next meal.
The tweet sparked strong reactions on both sides, with some furious that Ahmadi was criticizing the free food as a refugee and even called for him to be sent back to Afghanistan.
Hamed Ahmadi, 28, shared his meager Fort Bliss meal to his Twitter followers that showed very little food
Ahmadi, 28, boarded an evacuation flight from Kabul before landing safely and heading to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas
One user shared a picture of a FedEx plane, writing: ''@ahmadihamed_ Get in. We're sending you back.' A common theme throughout the thread.
Another user similarly commented: '@ahmadihamed_ More than happy to fly you home and trade you for the service dogs. Just ask. One way ticket, on me.'
Others, however, were much more sympathetic and even called out the ration as resembling something from the Fyre Festival in 2017.
The festival, organized by Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, advertised the ultimate in luxury festivals on a tropical island for tickets costing thousands of dollars, but delivered nothing more than disaster tents for shelter, and truly awful food.
A photo of the sad cheese sandwich given to festival goers who had paid up to $12,000 for the experience became a symbol of scam.
Many Twitter users were unhappy that Ahmadi complained about receiving free food from taxpaying Americans and said others 'had it worse'
On Saturday, tweeters began comparing Ahmadi's ration to the picture, stating 'People have paid a lot more for a lot less.'
Others wrote: '@ahmadihamed_ You are absolutely allowed to complain, this is nothing. Refugee still have rights and it's ridiculous that you are getting fed so little.'
Another user wrote in support: '@ahmadihamed_ My heart goes out to all the afghanis who had to leave their country and family. It’s never easy leaving your motherland behind. And I am sorry to see this is the food you are getting. I hope it was better.'
However, the majority of users were unhappy with Ahmadi for 'complaining' about getting free food and getting to live in the US instead of being stuck in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
A few users showed Ahmadi sympathy and wished him better luck on the food and welcomed him to the country
The majority of users were unhappy with Ahmadi 'complaining' about the food. Many offered to 'send him back' and 'trade him for a service dog,' while others he should stop 'complaining' about 'free food.' However, one user pointed out that America is not a starving country
Other users focused on the fact that Ahmadi was using an iPhone to tweet a photo of his meager meal and suggested he sell it for better food.
One woman wrote: @ahmadihamed_ Maybe you could sell the iPhone you're tweeting from and get yourself several 5 [star] meals. Or, trade places with many homeless American veterans.'
The main theme throughout the thread of bashing Ahmadi for 'complaining' about free food and that 'Americans have it worse.'
One user wrote: '@ahmadihamed_ Guy is getting free meals, without threat of being slaughtered by Taliban. "meh, the meals could be better."'
Ahmadi admitted to KTSM that he thought the Texas government 'was not really prepared' for the influx of refugees, which now have reach more than 4,300 at Fort Bliss (pictured)
Ahmadi now lives with 70 others in one of the tents (pictured) as Fort Bliss gets slammed for the meager meals and its uninhabitable bathroom situations
Another woman wrote: 'You are complaining and you're receiving more than alot of American citizens. Please stop.'
Another user replied back, bashing the woman for saying Americans citizens were starving and sharing a picture of obese children eating at McDonald's. She wrote: 'You act like we are a starving country.'
As of Wednesday morning, more than 4,300 refugees have arrived at Fort Bliss.
The situation here is not as good as we expected,' Ahmadi told KTSM. 'The problem with the situation here is that the Texas government was not really prepared.'
The military base is being slammed for its uninhabitable bathrooms with waste on the floor and backed up sinks, in addition to the food.
More than 123,000 refugees have been evacuated from Kabul, with more than 75,000 of them being Afghanis.
The Independent reported refugees coming into the US could face up to 10 years of uncertainty.
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