08/18/2021
After pouring billions in aid and killing thousands, our operation in Afghanistan is unceremoniously over.
Afghans have paid the price and now face an uncertain future. Many of them have prayed and worked towards the success of the US supported government only to be left holding the bag as the corrupt government we installed failed to protect them or the institutions of civil society.
We can help:
Volunteer to help resettled refugees: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (https://lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv) is asking for volunteers to help refugees upon arrival with airport pickups, meal assistance, mentorship, tutoring and more. You can participate if you're in one of the areas where refugees are arriving, and there's a standby list to join for other areas too. You can also donate.
Take up a challenge: Women for Women International (https://support.womenforwomen.org/donate/afghanistan-emergency-2x-match?src=HHUA21082A) says a "generous member of our community" will match up to $500,000 in donations for its Afghanistan program.Open your wallet: Consider donating to Women for Afghan Women (https://womenforafghanwomen.org/afghanistan/), which says it is the largest women's group in Afghanistan; the International Refugee Assistance Project (https://refugeerights.org/donate); and the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (https://www.mediasupport.org/donate/ -menu-toggle), which works to protect journalists on the ground.
Email the White House: The International Rescue Committee has an email form through which you can urge the Biden administration to take immediate steps to ensure "vulnerable Afghans have pathways to safety." (https://act.rescue.org/yRqHe9p) The group is also asking for donations. (https://help.rescue.org/donate/afghanistan)
The following additional nonprofits are raising money to help support Afghan refugees:
* Refugees International (https://www.refugeesinternational.org)
* USA for UNHCR, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the UN Refugee Agency (https://give.unrefugees.org/210815emer_afgmain_c_4982?utm_medium=hero&utm_source=homepage&utm_campaign=US_PS_EN_AFS_210815&utm_content=hero&SF_onetime=7011K000001HiZRQA0&SF_monthly=7011K000001HiZIQA0)
* Church World Service (https://cwsglobal.org/take-action/afghan-siv-and-refugee-program/?utm_source=cwsglobal&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=home20210813)
* Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (https://act.hias.org/page/31034/donate/1)
How to help Afghan refugees through local US charities
Get involved with an organization in your community. These groups may be looking for donations of essential items, hosts for refugees, or in-kind donations.
The following databases can help you find an organization in your area.
* Network agencies with the Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (https://refugees.org/agencies/)
* Refugee Council USA's list of local resettlement agencies (https://rcusa.org/get-involved/volunteer/ )
* Charity Navigator, which ranks nonprofits by factors like financial accountability and transparency (https://www.charitynavigator.org)
Donate an Airbnb stay
Airbnb.org allows hosts to donate stays at their home for "people in crisis." Guests are screened by Airbnb before arriving. If you don't have an Airbnb of your own, you can donate towards someone's stay.(https://www.airbnb.com/for-airbnb-org/donate?ref=airbnb_org_site_get_involved)
Protecting our Afghan Allies Since 2001 thousands of Afghan men and women have worked alongside the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Working as translators, logisticians, interpreters, clerks, cultural advisors, drivers and security guards they supported our troops and saved American lives. As the Unit...
