5 Ways to Help Afghanistan

Today, as the Taliban retake political and military control in Kabul, we are seeing an immediate and extreme escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. You might be hearing about threats to women’s rights, huge numbers of evacuating refugees, or concern about what this means for the safety of the Afghan people.

When a crisis is this new and complex, sometimes it helps to focus on one question at a time. Let’s start here:

 

WHAT CAN I DO TODAY?

1. LEARN MORE

Start here: The Associated Press has a good breakdown of what’s going on, and CNN has live updates from the capital city of Kabul.

Get familiar with what’s happening in Afghanistan right now, so you can better educate others and direct your efforts to help. Find trusted news sources and make sure you understand the basics of the conflict, the groups involved, and how American actions continue to affect the situation - but try not to go down a news rabbit hole, there are still direct actions to take!

 

2. DONATE DIRECTLY

Start here: Click here for a list of trusted organizations accepting emergency donations that are needed right now.

Don’t put it off till later, set up donations while it’s at the front of your mind. This crisis is going to require international aid both immediately and long-term - we recommend donating today to at least one urgent cause (such as the GoFundMe to evacuate artists and writers here), and setting up a recurring gift to at least one ongoing nonprofit organization such as:

•  Women for Afghan Women is “dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan and New York” with shelter, safety, and education.
• AFGHANAID provides necessities like food, survival equipment, and financial support to rural communities.
• Afghan Literacy Foundation - their Emergency Relief Fund is supporting internally displaced Afghans who have had to flee their homes, but are still in the country.

3. DONATE YOUR MILES

If you have airline miles, you can donate them to refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers who have legal approval to travel but cannot afford airfare with Miles4Migrants.

 

4. VOLUNTEER

If you are in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area, volunteer with an organization helping welcome 2,500 Afghan allies who are being evacuated and arriving in Northern Virginia.  

They need dedicated volunteers to help provide transportation, housing, and other basic needs to our new neighbors, many of whom have received just a few days’ notice of their departure to the United States. Learn more

 

5. DON’T STOP PAYING ATTENTION

It might be easy in a week or two, considering the many crises around the world, to forget that Afghan human rights are still in danger. That’s why setting up a recurring donation now is a good call - your contribution will be ongoing even as other things come up. But! Make sure to keep this issue on your radar however you can. Follow organizations like the International Rescue Committee and Amnesty International on social media. Speak with friends and family about what’s happening so the conversation continues. Be a changemaker!