The following is a copy of an article from Newsweek on How you can help Afghan refugees. | August 17th 2021
“Following the removal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, frantic scenes have emerged showing Afghans trying to leave the country as the Taliban takes control.
The latest figures released by UNHCR show that since the start of 2021 at least 550,000 Afghans have been displaced by the conflict.
President Joe Biden has pledged up to $500 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to support refugees fleeing Afghanistan.
In response to the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan right now, it has re-opened a number of offices in rural areas to deliver emergency support to those who have been uprooted by the conflict.
Afghan nationals queue at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border Getty Images
It is working to provide financial support, food parcels and kitchen kits, hygiene kits, and items such as lamps, stoves and gas cylinders.
Islamic Relief USA
Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) provides relief and operates as a development organization in communities around the world, guided by the teachings of the Quran.
IRUSA has been working with Afghan communities for over 20 years. As the current crisis unfolds it is providing water, hygiene kits, and shelter for displaced families.
Christina Tobias-Nahi, director of communications and public affairs, told Newsweek: “Islamic Relief USA is committing $1 million to Islamic Relief Afghanistan to support internally displaced individuals with food, water storage units, hygiene kits, shelter and other items to assist them in dealing with their displacement and food insecurity.
“In addition, here in the United States, Islamic Relief USA continues to support a growing network of US-based social service community organizations providing refugee support to Afghans and other clients, whether its English language courses, job skills training, health services or mental health support to those who have fled violence.”
The organization has also been urging policymakers at the U.S. government, UN and World Bank to support open access for humanitarian actors to deliver life-saving programs and increase the number of refugees allowed into the U.S.
Another program by the charity has been working alongside HIAS to support Afghan refugees in Lesvos, Greece by providing legal aid, psychological and social support.
“The team there was already overwhelmed with the number of asylum claims and the struggles of camp dwellers attempting self-harm,” Tobias-Nahi continued. “They expect to be further inundated after these recent developments.”
‘This is a project being funded by both Jewish and Muslim US-based NGOs and their donors while staffed by Greek orthodox lawyers, and is an amazing testament of how we can come together across faiths to aid those most vulnerable.’”
See the original article on Newsweek .