What is Happening in Afghanistan?

• The former administration of the United States signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020. They agreed to a May 1 deadline to have all troops out of the country. The current administration kept with the withdrawal plan but extended the deadline to September. The U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan overnight in early July, ahead of the official end date. This gave the Taliban the opportunity to quickly seize control of most of the country as the U.S. withdrew air support to the Afghan military. Afghans, fearing retribution and the harsh rule of the Taliban, rushed to the airport in hopes of getting out of the country. -Source: AP News 

• The Fall of Kabul/Afghan Government: On August 15, 2021, the capital of Afghanistan was captured by the Taliban. Despite Taliban leaders instructing their forces to half their advances at the gates of Kabul, Taliban fighters were advancing into the city regardless of their leaders’ official declaration. Taliban fighters raised their flag in several areas of the city, pressured the police to hand over their weaponry and had taken over the presidential palace which had been vacated by the president earlier that day.

• Kabul Airport Evacuations: Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, Kabul Airport remained the only secure route of Afghanistan. Chaos ensued as thousands of fleeing Afghan civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out of the city. The 82,300 evacuees flown out so far have included about 4,500 American citizens — out of an estimated 6,000 who were known to be in the country and wanted to leave — as well as Afghans who have obtained a limited number of special immigrant visas, which are for people who have worked for the U.S. or NATO as interpreters or in some other capacity. The U.S. is also evacuating Afghans, along with their immediate families, who have applied for the visas but have not yet received them, and people who face particular danger from the Taliban. That includes people who worked for the government, members of civil society, journalists, and human rights activists.

Why Does it Affect Us?

Afghanistan is facing one of the world’s fastest-growing humanitarian crises. This is not a political issue, but a human one. This crisis is the byproduct of the U.S. and Afghan War on Terror, meaning it impacts U.S. troops still on the ground, 300,000 Afghan allies who worked with the U.S., veterans who are being re-traumatized, and thousands of refugees that will become Afghan-Americans contributing to the fabric of our society.

• The United States and allies are hurrying to evacuate as many people from Afghanistan as possible before an Aug. 31 deadline amid deteriorating security. Source: Reuters

• 550,000+ Afghans have been internally displaced as a result of the conflict since the beginning of the year and numbers are still soaring according to the International Rescue Committee. 80% of those fleeing are women and children, among the most vulnerable targeted groups.

• Hundreds of thousands of Afghan allies are in danger as the Taliban are intensifying their hunt for people who worked for or collaborated with Nato and US forces. Militants have been going door to door to find targets and threatening family members according to BBC News. 

• Since August 13, 12,279 Afghan allies have been evacuated. These efforts are welcome but benefit less than 1% of Afghans.

• Over 18 million people need urgent aid as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate rapidly amid growing instability.

• Thousands have been killed or forced to flee.

• COVID-19 and a drought worsened by climate change are compounding people’s suffering.

Source: Rescue.org

What Actions You Can Take

2021 could be the deadliest year for Afghans in over a decade. Please consider contributing in any of the following ways:

Raise awareness 

• Educate yourself and others about the current situation ongoing in Afghanistan. Use your voice!

• Send a message to your representative. Text “Crisis” to 52886 for a link to a pre-written message.

• Contact your senator or representative to address immediate priorities: 1) extend the deadline to evacuate Afghans at risk and 2) waive the $575 processing fee for Afghan applicants. Refer to this document for a script and finding their contact info

Donate

• For helping Afghan refugees resettling in the U.S.:

  • Afghan Emergency Relief Fund: We have established a community-funded bank account to support incoming refugees with their basic necessities. This is a grassroots effort led by the Afghan-American diaspora, with guidance from our community elders and committed to radical transparency. We hope to be a safety net for these refugees as they rebuild their lives. Where donated goods fail to meet their needs, we will tap into our communal fund and cover the cost. 100% of proceeds will support refugee relief efforts via Afghan Literacy Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donate Here

  • Rescue & Resettle Afghan Women: Their urgent goal is to raise funds to provide settlement support for newly arrived refugees, specifically women. 

• For helping those in Afghanistan

  • The International Rescue Committee, a global nonprofit dedicated to aiding people displaced by war, persecution or natural disaster, is accepting financial contributions.

The International Medical Corps is accepting donations to its emergency relief fund.