How much sensitivity and how much humanity there are in the gesture and in the look of Tommaso Claudi, the Italian consul in Afghanistan immortalized in a photo that went viral as she lifts a crying baby to take him to safety at the Kabul airport. In this image, Italian diplomacy has stripped itself of its most institutional form to become an instrument of aid, relief, and not just a means for official relations and relations. In the gesture of the young diplomat, Italy is truly the most beautiful and with the biggest heart. Tommaso Claudi is the last Italian diplomat left in the country reconquered by the Taliban.
Tommaso Claudi is the last Italian diplomat left in Kabul
Claudi is not yet 31 years old, she will turn them on August 30th. Marchigiano di Camerino, in the province of Macerata, despite his young age, he has a very respectable curriculum: two degrees, one in Linguistics at the University of Pavia, the other in International Relations at the Cattolica in Milan. In 2017 he was appointed legation secretary on probation for a diplomatic career. On 5 June 2018 he is confirmed in the role. A few months later, in January 2019, he arrives as second commercial secretary in Kabul in Afghanistan. . In the dramatic Afghan situation where escape represents an anchor to safety, he decided to stay at Kabul airport. For days he has been involved in evacuating fellow citizens and Afghans from the country, (in particular those who have collaborated with the international community) to make their own contribution to what has become a huge humanitarian tragedy.
In the general chaos, the photo shows him while, wearing his bulletproof vest and helmet over the shoulder, jeans and sneakers, he helps a child to overcome a wall in the inner perimeter of the airport. The little Afghan - he could be six or seven years old - is in tears, frightened by the crowds that surround him. The young consul Tommaso Claudi raises him by taking him from the arms of a man and saving him from the crowd. Women, men and children who see flight to the West as the only possibility of salvation before the ultimatum of the Taliban who announced the closure of the humanitarian corridors by the end of the month.
“We had to witness dramatic scenes”: so the Italian consul
In spite of everything, the young Italian consul has decided for now to remain in Kabul, an operational connection on site with our Farnesina. “We unfortunately had to witness dramatic scenes - he told Ansa - We managed in absolute emergency conditions to bring our compatriots back home. And some of our Afghan collaborators who in recent years have allowed us to operate in a difficult context. We are witnessing a great humanitarian tragedy in Afghanistan. We are all giving our all, putting all our heart and the professionalism we are capable of".
Tommaso Claudi's heart really put it all there, and just look at it in the images that portray him with the child and that have made the rounds of social media. “Thanks Tommaso” is the tweet of the secretary general of the Farnesina, Ettore Sequi, who posts a photo of the Italian consul. He was echoed by the Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio. “In Kabul, faced with a dramatic situation - so he writes on his Facebook page - our Consul Tommaso Claudi is up to the last second useful on the front line to help the Afghan people, together with our military. Italy will not turn its back on you. Thanks Tommaso, we are all proud of you, of the work you are doing tirelessly, with love and dedication ”. Thanks also from all the Italians.
(credit photo in evidence: page fb Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio)
