Right now, the voices of many Afghan women are muted for security and safety. They will emerge again. Now, it is our voices that need to be heard supporting all Afghans, especially the women and girls in Afghanistan. We urge you to speak up for their protection and show your solidarity. Women and girls cannot be visible so we must be. Sahar believes in the future of Afghanistan and its people and we must support them now in every way possible. Please use the following resources to support those in Afghanistan:
Engagement of Our Community
- Sahar Board Member, Shinkai Hakimi, shared her thoughts on the unfolding humanitarian crisis, “a genocide of hope for millions of women in Afghanistan” on her “An Afghan Author On Losing Her Homeland — For The Second Time” discussing her latest book and personal experience. She shared informative videos on her instagram account about the impacts of Taliban control of Afghanistan.
- Program Manager, Shogofa, was interviewed for local Seattle news staion, King-5 about her perspective on the crisis.
- The Seattle Times article “Seattle-area Afghans enduring sleepless nights, terrified for family in hiding under Taliban rule” about Afghans in Seattle.
- The Seattle Times article “Seattle group launches secret schools for Afghan girls under Taliban rule” reports on Sahar’s efforts post-Taliban.
Campaign for Humanitarian Crisis
- AMEN has compiled a list of petitions and methods for congressional advocacy. Sign petitions here.
- Post your messages in support of Afghanistan with the #IStandWithAfghanGirls and #IstandwithAfghans on social media platforms
- Contact your representatives and demand that the U.S. expand its visa programs to allow NGO workers and supporters to apply for visas while they are trapped in Afghanistan.
- Text ‘CRISIS’ to 52886
- Send the auto populated letter then click the call button to call your representatives.
- Use this prompt to guide your message: I am calling to urge my representative to support the immediate evacuation of vulnerable groups from Afghanistan and to continue those evacuations until everybody vulnerable has been evacuated. Additionally, I am demanding that humanitarian aid be provided in this time of crisis.
- Cite Canada as an example of a country that is providing adequate support to Afghan refugees.
- Share the four action points from the Washington Post opinion article discussing what the United States can do to support Afghan women.
Support Women’s Rights Activists and Journalists
The Alliance for International Women’s Rights suggests, if you know any women’s rights advocates or professionals in Afghanistan, send them the link to Canada’s visa program, which has recently been opened up to women’s rights advocates: (Please note that as of the date this was written, the website has not yet been updated to include the expanded eligibility requirements; more information about the expanded eligibility can be found in this article. Afghan citizens can apply for a visa even while in another country.
Resources for Afghan Refugees in WA State
- International Rescue Committee Seattle: How to help our Afghan neighbors in Washington
- Lutheran Community Services Northwest: Extend a Welcoming Hand to Refugees Arriving in the Northwest
- Refugee Starter Kit (pdf)
- World Relief Seattle: Resources for Afghan Community Support
AMEN has put together the following of resources:
- Sign up with AirBnB to offer a place to stay for Afghan refugees: www.airbnb.org/get-involved
- Donate goods to World Relief: https://worldrelief.org/seattle/get-involved/donate-goods/
- Donate items from the Amazon Wishlist by IRC in Seattle: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/38EPMHQLSWOHO
- Donate items from the Amazon Wish List by Jewish Family Services Refugee & Immigrant Services: https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/30OKQF4EANM4V/guest-view
- Sign up to volunteer with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS): https://www.tfaforms.com/4922177
- Sign up to volunteer with World Relief: https://worldrelief.org/seattle/get-involved/volunteer/
- Volunteer as a foster parent for Afghan youth (especially if you are Afghan-American): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfn084BwnQI6QkS2dCUGmFql833RmrJPNJUwL0Yze0JFrRurA/viewform
- [CURRENTLY CLOSED – may reopen in future] Sign up to provide temporary housing to Afghan refugees by Afghan Health Initiative: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdny1z5–zvLomQv0bL5U2qFks38OI1cSlgSWJxs4A_1F-ivw/viewform