The Afghan Diaspora for Equality and Progress (Ade Progress) is coordinating an effort to connect those in need of legal representation with pro bono assistance, including with humanitarian parole applications. The link for volunteers to apply is here; for those seeking humanitarian parole help, they can find guidance on how to apply here and email afghanresources2021@gmail.com. If you want to pass along information on how people can sign up to sponsor individuals, here is the link. And for those seeking to donate to cover the filing fee for each petition (more than $500 per person), here is the link for the organization’s GoFundMe.
Separately, I have heard that it is being encouraged for those with loved ones stuck in Afghanistan to contact the Afghanistan Task Force at the State Department by emailing actf@state.gov and including a brief statement of why the loved ones are at risk, loved one’s passports of national ID cards, number of individuals, and a number/email for those in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, nothing can be guaranteed, but it seems like the best option is to try as many avenues as possible.
Thank you for your interest in the recent webinar, IIENetwork Briefing: Supporting Afghanistan and Haiti. We are grateful for your attention to learn more about IIE’s current crisis response efforts and how you, your organization or institution can be involved, specifically through our student, scholar, and artist emergency and protection initiatives.
At this time, we would like to share the webinar resources with you and welcome you to share these with your networks.
If you’re an IIENetwork member, you have access to past webinar recordings and materials through the membership hub. To renew, join or inquire about the IIENetwork, please contact membership@iie.org.
Outlined below are some reminders for IIE’s crisis response through the funds available to students, scholars, and artists, and ways to partner and collaborate with IIE.
Emergency Student Fund (IIE ESF): U.S. colleges and universities in the IIENetwork are eligible to nominate up to five international students from Afghanistan or Haiti who are impacted by either the security emergency in Afghanistan or the earthquake in Haiti. This effort will provide one-time grants of between $2,000 and $5,000 to selected students whose ability to pay the costs of their fall 2021 semester in the United States is in jeopardy due to serious financial difficulties related to these crises. Funds can be used to cover the students’ educational, living, or health related expenses. Application deadline extended to September 15, 2021. Contact ESF@iie.org.
Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF): The only global program that arranges and funds fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars at partnering higher education institutions worldwide. Institutions, organizations, and individuals are welcome to join the IIE-SRF Alliance, our global network of partners who offer practical support to threatened and displaced scholars, such as temporary academic positions, professional development and career advancement opportunities, and other critical assistance. There is no cost to join the IIE-SRF Alliance. Contact SRF@iie.org. Follow @ScholarRescue on Twitter.
Artist Protection Fund (IIE-APF): The only global program that provides threatened artists with fellowship funding, mentoring, and inclusion in a comprehensive network of artistic and social support. Join the APF network of academic institutions, cultural organizations, and grassroots initiatives. Contact APF@iie.org. Follow @artistprotectionfund on Instagram and @APF_IIE on Twitter.
Give to IIE’s emergency response: IIE has faced many emergencies in our 101-year history, from wars to pandemics. Generous support from our donors helps us rise to each challenge, and then helps us ensure that educational exchange resumes and grows once the crisis is over. With your help, that is what we will do now and in the period ahead.
We have received numerous questions, especially regarding legal pathways and helping Afghans leave the country. We’re involved in discussion around this with many higher ed and immigration organizations. The situation continues to evolve, and we’ll share information as we are able.
Announcement from AirBnb to provide housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees.
Press Release by Action for Arts for Afghanistan
Fort Lee – Afghan Evacuee Donations through Virginia Islamic Center and Volunteers
Islamic Center of Virginia Cash Donations
Coordinating logistics with local non-profit organizations, including the International Rescue Committee, ReEstablish Richmond, CrossOver HealthCare Ministries, the Islamic Center of Virginia, Congregation Or Ami, and Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Petition by Women for Women International to reach the floor of the emergency G7 meeting
Firoz Academy started by UR Alum, John Calhoun
UR Dining Services and HR have begun working together to prepare for the possibility of employing Afghan settlers.
Guidance from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on how to help:
https://www.rescue.org/announcement/how-help-afghan-evacuees-virginia
Operation Digital Dunkirk organized by U.S. Marines
In the Richmond area, local businesses are helping to collect donated supplies for the refugees headed for Fort Lee. The supplies needed include:
- Personal hygiene products
- Travel kits for both men and women
- Individual snacks (that are manufacturer wrapped)
- Games, toys, puzzles, and coloring books for children
Woody and Nelsen Funeral Homes said all five of its Richmond-area locations will accept donated supplies, which it will deliver to the Islamic Center of Virginia, which will get the items to Fort Lee.
Donation Drop Off Locations
Woody Funeral Homes at:
- 1771 N. Parham Road, Henrico County
- 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian
- 9271 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville
Nelsen Funeral Homes at:
- 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond
- 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland
Online options
The Islamic Center of Virginia is collecting monetary donations for refugees through its website at icva1.com.
The International Rescue Committee in Richmond is also collecting donations at help.rescue.org/donate/us-richmond-va as well as managing a Target wish list registry, which can be found on Target’s website by searching IRC in Richmond’s Charity Registry.
Stay
Update from UR Law:
Our partners at ReEstablish Richmond have shared the efforts undertaken by both the Islamic Center of Virginia and Commonwealth Catholic Charities to meet the supplies needs of Afghan refugees. If you do not have those wishlist and needs, I am happy to share.
Separately, the Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Arlington, Hogar Immigrant Services – Legal, has been managing the legal clinics at Fort Lee for the past several weeks. With the help of many volunteer attorneys over the past several weeks, they’ve been able to complete Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applications for nearly 300 individuals since August 1st. Right now, It is unclear whether or when additional flights may come to Fort Lee, and, if they do, what the status needs of the people on those flights will be. At this very moment there is no additional need at Fort Lee itself – however things can definitely change in the future and quickly.
They are currently recruiting interested attorneys to volunteer at future clinics at Fort Lee (if there are any), and more information and connections may be made by emailing SIVWelcome@usccb.org. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been managing the volunteer recruitment and logistics pieces of these clinics, while CCDA Hogar is leading the clinics, providing training and resources to volunteers as well as supervision on site. So if people email that address, they’ll be on the list to receive updates if/when additional opportunities become available in the future.
I have been in contact with the CCDA-Hogar coordinators about law student volunteer assistance and support, and am awaiting their response. To the extent that there are interested volunteers in our community (especially with language skills) for these clinics, please feel free to direct them to me. I will keep them in the loop with what I know.