Afghanistan is a war-torn country in which the United States worked for 20 years to remove power from a fundamental Islamic political group called the Taliban. On May 1, 2021, U.S. troops began stepping out of Afghanistan under the direction of President Biden.
On August 15, 2021, only three months later, the Taliban had once again regained much of Afghanistan, along with its capital, Kabul. The Afghan peoples’ hearts were filled with fear at the thought of the possible return of terrorism and loss of freedom. People around the world prayed and fasted, their hearts heavy with this fast, new development.
EASO’s report states that 114,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan in the following two weeks before the U.S. military completely left (this number includes both civilians and foreigners). This is in addition to over 500,000 that were internally displaced by August 2021, according to the Washington Post.
According to Church World Service, an estimated 75,000 Afghans are arriving in the United States and are being hosted at seven military bases across the nation. More are likely to come.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki says, “[The military bases are not] a place where people will live. This is a place where people would go, they would receive medical care and assistance and get connected with refugee resettlement organizations that play a vital role as refugees come to our country from wherever they come around the world.”
Christians have a big part to play during this influx of refugees to our home country. We have an open door to share the love of Christ, welcome them into our homes, teach them about American life, language, and culture.
Isaiah 58 states it clearly:
“…this is the kind of fasting I want… Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.”
Following are a few organizations working directly with refugees that you could partner with.
Church World Service is a Christian organization that has been helping those in need since 1946. Members of Church World Service have been deployed to military camps in the U.S. to help with Afghans who’ve arrived since August.
Here’s a bit of what they do:
CWS needs the support of their community, funds to keep running, and volunteers for their organization. You have the opportunity to make a difference.
Click the link below to learn more.
More About Church World Service
ARC Ministry was formed by a group of conservative Anabaptist churches with a goal to reach out to the Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy, WI, one of the hosting military bases. The organization’s goal is to build relationships that will impact these Afghans even after permanent lodging is found for them.
There are approximately 13,000 refugees at Fort McCoy. Currently there is a sewing center and activity centers where volunteers are helping and establishing relationships.
Following are a few of ARC Ministry’s needs:
This ministry is empowered by the people standing behind them and working with them.
Click the link to learn more, give, or volunteer.
If you’re an Airbnb host, you have the opportunity to partner with Airbnb to host refugees for a short period of time until more permanent lodging is found for them. Airbnb and Airbnb.org are covering the cost of up to 20,000 refugees’ stays.
Don’t have an Airbnb? You can sign up! If you have an extra room in your home that someone could stay in for a short period of time, now’s your opportunity to host.
Not interested in hosting but want to support? Endeavors like this aren’t free, so any donations help!
Learn more, sign up to host, or donate by clicking the link below.
Learn More About Airbnb Hosting Afghans
We hope this article gives you several pathways to choose from to help the Afghans in your community or across the nation. They are at our front doorsteps. Now is the time for action.