The last two weeks feel too familiar. An endless war, a broken country, thousands of people fleeing insurgent forces. The fall of Kabul saw thousands of Afghan citizens desperately try to leave their home to escape the Taliban. Some have managed to escape, a small percentage of the 400,000 Afghani citizens who’ve been displaced since January.
Sending aid from 7,000 miles away may seem like a fruitless endeavor, but there are some legitimate ways you can help Afghan refugees as well the ones who couldn’t get out in time. These six organizations are a great place to start.
Donate, volunteer, and read this helpful toolkit so you know how to reach out to your elected officials.
The International Rescue Committee
A global nonprofit that delivers urgent humanitarian care for people displaced by “war, persecution or natural disaster. The IRC has been working with Afghanistan since 1988 and actually has an email form urging President Biden to take the steps to ensure “vulnerable Afghans have pathways to safety.”
Lutheran Social Services
A donation to the Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) is a way to provide transportation, temporary housing, and other immediate needs to “Afghan Allies, Special Immigrant Visa holders, who are being evacuated to the United States.”
Women for Afghan Women
A majority Afghan and Muslim-led organization that provides life-changing programs to families throughout Afghanist as well as immigrants and refugees. According to CNN, a member within the community will be matching up $500,000 in donations for its Afghanistan program.
The Afghanistan Crisis Fund for Emergency Assistance
Launched by the Child Foundation, this emergency fund has already raised $15,000 to feed 300 families in Afghanistan.
Homes Not Borders
Homes Not Borders helps refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and the asylum-seeking population in the DC-area with everything they need to settle into life in America.
International Medical Corps
A presence in Afghanistan since 1984, the IMC provides emergency + primary healthcare to those in desperate need. Donations go towards training healthcare workers in emergency preparedness.
