In the face of imminent danger following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, an urgent effort was launched in late 2021 to rescue 678 Afghan civilians—many of them women, girls, and individuals who had supported the U.S. intervention. Operation Snow Leopard, spearheaded by Karen Kraft and coordinated with Maj. Jason Hatch, sought every available avenue to ensure the safe evacuation of these at-risk individuals.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the late Captain Jeffrey William Rogers, a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ, reached out to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Davit Bagrationi Mukhranbatoni, Head of the Royal House of Georgia. Prince Davit immediately mobilized his international network, using diplomatic contacts and direct interventions to support the operation. UNWTO Ambassador Shiv Shankar Nair was brought into the mission, and, through careful coordination, safe houses were secured to provide the evacuees with much-needed refuge.
The logistical support provided by the Royal House of Georgia was instrumental in helping to transport these individuals to safety. Prince Davit’s contacts with government officials supported efforts to secure emergency travel documents, asylum, and humanitarian corridors. Conducted discreetly through diplomatic channels, these efforts reflected his commitment to humanitarianism and to protecting those in need.
In recognition of his contribution to Operation Snow Leopard, His Royal Highness was presented with a plaque during a gala dinner on March 15, 2025. The award recognized his efforts, leadership, and the Royal House of Georgia’s commitment to humanitarian action in times of crisis.
The evacuation of nearly 700 individuals illustrates how leadership rooted in tradition can serve practical humanitarian purposes in the modern world. Through his actions, Prince Davit reaffirmed the Royal House of Georgia’s commitment to justice, humanitarianism, and the protection of innocent people.
Prince Davit has long been involved in cultural and humanitarian initiatives. In late 2021, as an extension of the same operation, His Royal Highness joined forces with UNWTO Ambassador Shiv Shankar Nair and Instagram creator Tommy Marcus, known online as Quentin Quarantino. The campaign, one of the largest fundraisers in GoFundMe’s history, raised approximately $7 million to help rescue around 2,000 at-risk Afghan reformers.
