We are writing to extend our deep care and support to our Afghan colleagues and those in Afghanistan during these uncertain and devastating times. We are heartbroken by the violence and escalating conflict in Afghanistan that have threatened the lives of millions and displaced hundreds of thousands in the country this year. We realize that the current events of this crisis may bring about a variety of responses, including fear, grief, anger, sadness, helplessness, and even retraumatization, for those who are being impacted most right now.
We have shared some resources below, including for those allied with the Afghan community. The ANA Advocacy Committee is here to support members in any way possible, so please do not hesitate to reach out for further support as needed. Please take care of yourselves and stay in community with one another.
With heart and on behalf of the ANA Advocacy Committee,
Vanessa Zhou
Resources from Muslim American Society – Social Services Foundation (MAS-SSF):
Supportive Counseling Services (in person, by phone, online): MAS-SSF offers confidential and HIPAA compliant counseling service that allows you to interact with a dedicated peer specialist in person (Sacramento, CA) or virtually from anywhere. Services available in English, Dari/Fasi, Pashto, Arabic, and Urdu.
- Call 916 486 8626
- Email counseling@mas-ssf.org
- Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm PST
- https://www.mas-ssf.org/services-and-workshops/
Amala Youth Hopeline: free, confidential, culturally competent helpline (peer counseling and resource referral) for Muslim American youth.
- Call 855-95-AMALA (Phone line hours: 6-10pm PST on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)
- Text 855-95-AMALA (Text line hours: 6-10pm PST on Wed, Sun)
- https://amala.mas-ssf.org/
MAS-SSF YouTube Channel: short videos on coping during the pandemic that may be relevant more broadly to large stressors like the current crisis in Afghanistan.
- Coping with Grief:
- Pashto version: https://youtu.be/aYfmIOGzh_s
- Dari version: https://youtu.be/mTCWfdzCDsU
- Coping with Ongoing Stress and Self-Care Strategies:
- Pashto version: https://youtu.be/VzYIWQSl9Jo
Ways to Support Afghanistan Right Now:
Volunteer to help resettled refugees (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services): https://www.tfaforms.com/4881676
Donate air miles, credit card points, and cash to Miles4Migrants to help individuals impacted by war, persecution, or disaster reunite with loved ones and start new beginnings in safe homes. Read about the agency’s work in Afghanistan here.
https://miles4migrants.org/
Donate to Neighbors in Need: Afghan Allies Fund which will be used to offer food, housing assistance, clothing and other basic needs for incoming Afghan allies and those benign evacuated to the United States. https://secure2.convio.net/lirs/site/Donation2?df_id=4079&4079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T/
Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security is collecting donations with partner organizations to support humanitarian visas, safe house evacuations for high-risk Afghan women, and emergency humanitarian aid
https://giwps.georgetown.edu/how-to-save-the-lives-of-afghan-women/
Email your government to demand immediate action for at-risk Afghans:
- United States – urge the Biden administration to take immediate steps to ensure vulnerable Afghans have pathways to safety
Email- Copy drafted letter (https://bit.ly/afghanistanemergency) and email or phone your local/state/federal representatives
- Email form by LIRS: https://www.votervoice.net/LIRS/campaigns/85410/respond
- Email form (Protect Vulnerable Afghans) by World Relief – contact your local representatives: https://worldrelief.org/sacramento/get-involved/advocate/
- Email form by International Rescue Committee (asks for contact info): https://act.rescue.org/yRqHe9p
Text
- Text “CRISIS” to 52886 and it will auto populate your info and send a letter about the situation in Afghanistan to your
- Australia
- Email your local representative to urge the Australian government to provide emergency aid to Afghanistan: https://freeafghanistan.good.do/aidtoafghanistan/freeafghanistan_aidtoafghanistan/
Join local protests, donate to charitable organizations, stay up to date on the news in Afghanistan, and contact your government to enact change (AFG Diaspora Hub):
- Local protests: https://www.afgdiasporahub.com/
- Verified charitable organizations for supporting individuals and families in Afghanistan: https://www.afgdiasporahub.com/support-us
- Latest news on Afghanistan: https://www.afgdiasporahub.com/news
- Contact your local or national government (United States, Australia, Canada): https://www.afgdiasporahub.com/civic-advocacy
Fund women-focused organizations. Women and children represent 80% of Afghans who have been forced to flee their country since May of this year.
- Sahar: https://sahareducation.org/
- Malala Fund: https://malala.org/donate/afghanistan
- Women’s Regional Network: https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-women-leaders-in-afghanistan
- Women for Afghan Women (largest women’s group in Afghanistan): https://womenforafghanwomen.networkforgood.com/projects/123748-20-years-of-afghan-women-strong
- Women for Women International (will match up to $500,000 in donations for its Afghanistan program): https://support.womenforwomen.org/donate/afghanistan-emergency-2x-match?src=HHUA21082A
Learn more about the situation and the Afghan community/diaspora: